The Austronesian Times

First Section, Domestic News:
Agrarian Reforms in Austronesia.
The Prosperous Fleet sets sail south.

Second Section, International News:
The Imperial Settlement Company.

Third Section, Business and Economy:

Fourth Section, Cultural and Religious News:
The Banjar Masin Grand Mosque


OOC: Do not post any coments to news articles here!

Semarang | Austronesia -- Major reforms to the Agrarian sector in Austronesia.

The Ministry of Agriculture announced major reforms to the Agrarian sector in Austronesia today. Reforms that will forever change the Agriculture in the Empire.

The Agricultural sector currently employs 68% of the Austronesian population, with many living on small family plots of lands or working collectivly in common lands, owned by the Crown and Nobles. Many people live on sustenance farming, which means that they produce just enough to survive and to sell smaller surpluses to the cities or pay in taxes.

The Emperor has upon his coronation three years ago, announced that he intends to reform Austronesia into a modern Industrial power. For that to happen, a more efficient agricultural system is needed to free up more workers to factories and to produce larger surpluses for sale and to support a larger population. Together with the Ministry of Agriculture, he has created a plan for reforms, which seeks to solve all these problems.

It is known as the "Agrarian Reformation Act of 1802", and will create a new system of enclosures and introduce modern Agricultural techniques. What this means is that what is known as common lands, will cease to exist and will be privately owned by Nobles, Landlords, Clergy and rich Farmers. Smaller plots of private land has also been bought by the government and given to the beforementioned demographic groups. This will create fewer but wealthier Farmers in the Empire.

"A wealthier Farmer is a better Farmer. A wealthier Farmer can afford modern Agricultural tools such as the seed drill and better ploughs. He can also afford to experiment with new Agricultural techniques, which he was not allowed to previously. Since in this current system, as we know, farmland doesn't belong to any peasant per say but rather to the landlords, such as nobles and the clergy. The village responsible for the plot of land, all had to agree on what to do with the land. A private Farmer can be inovative as he decides what to do with the land, and he has the money for that as he has more food to sell. It also allows for more cash crops to be produced, where as previously people only grew enough food for survival on their small plots of land. The wealthier Farmers with more land can now start producing crops such as Nutmeg, Cocoa, Tobacco amongst many others on a much larger scale, especially with more modern farming techniques." The Minister of Agriculture said in an interview.

Many intellectuals belive that as a direct consequence, more people will move to the cities in search for new jobs. Which will in turn allow for more factories to expand and be established in the future. However, many also believe that since some times these wealthy Farmers and Landlords, won't be able to take care of all land themselves sometimes. A new class of Tenant Farmers will arise in the comming future, this Farmer would not work on crops that he or she owns, but work for wages and perhaps housing.

OOC:

Semarang | Austronesia -- A Royal Decree was passed today, forming the crown company "Imperial Settlement Company".

"Are you homeless? Do you want a new chance in life? Come to the land of the plentiful!". That was the posters that were posted through the Empire yesteday. A radical expedition which is set to reach its destination in three months, is what awaits those brave enough to sign up for the Imperial Settlement Company.

Seven settlements are planned around the Imperial heartlands, and will hold roughly 50,000 people each, totalling at around 350,000 people. A spokesperson told the Austronesian Times; "These settlements has been chosen based on their geographic positioning. It is believed that they will serve as future trading ports, which will ease trade in the Indian Ocean and to Japan and Chinese/Korean Kingdoms. They also serve as footholds to settle the surrounding regions."

Based on the success of these settlements, more settlements may follow. The Imperial Settlement Company assured us and other concerned voices that no countrys territorial integrity will be violated; The settlements are only located in uncivilized regions such as Aboriginal Australia, the Phillipines and several island chains that are not inhabited at all.

Semarang | Austronesia -- Today, the long awaited Prosperous Fleet set sail south for greener pastures.

Advertisments and recruitment of crews and passengers alike has been going on for some time in the Empire. The mission, colonise the Maori and Aboriginal lands to the south. The success of the Outpost Fleet that secured several island chains in the Pacific, was used to get recruits for this grand voyage.

It is estimated that 2,000,000 people has been gathered to sail with the fleet south. The fleet is one of the larger fleets seen in the region, almost in history with hundereds of civilian ships heading south.

We interviewed a spokesman for the ISC (Imperial Settlement Company) and asked him about the large financial costs and motives of this massive expedition; "This is the largest expedition we have ever tried, and will if successfull set the Austronesian flag in the Aboriginal and Maori lands to the south. The settlements are located on a massive clay deposit and a massive iron vein respectivly. It is believed that we can exploit these resources and sell them to the rest of the world, or use them to fuel our expanding industries. Although it is a high initial cost to transport 2,000,000 people across the ocean, we believe that it will be worthwhile in the long run as we set up the required infrastructure to prosper."

A detachment of soldiers, that were mobilized with the Outpost fleet, has joined the Prosperous fleet and will protect the colonies against savages to the south.

Banjar Masin | Austronesia -- The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has just announced the construction of a record breaking Mosque in Austronesia.

A new Grand Mosque is about to be constructed in the city of Banjar Masin, Austronesia. Officials associated with the project, mentioned in an press release, that this is the first of a series of Grand Mosques, to be constructed in the Empire. "Austronesia is an Islamic State with Islamic People and values. We must make the Austronesian Empire the central point of Islam in the region, if not the world. People should not have to pray is smaller Mosques, but enjoy the grand spectacles and achievements made in our quests to create Grand Mosques." Said one spokesperson associated with the project.

The Banjar Masin Grand Mosque will be able to house 200,000 people, and is believed to become to central religious point on the Borneo island for people inside and outside the Empire. However it will not be the largest Mosque in the project.

The Sutan Sjahir III Grand Mosque will be the largest and most ambitious Mosque in this entire program. It will be able to house 750,000 worhipers at any given time, and will be located in the Capital. It is named after our beloved Emperor, who has ever since his coronation, worked towards making the Austronesian Empire a more religious and god loving state.

These news is welcomed in the clergical ranks in Austronesia. Mullah "Muhamed Khan", whom is head of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and an important figure in the clergy, has mentioned his support for this ambitious new project and has even donated money from his own pockets to support the project.

Kakadu | Austronesia -- Our brave soldiers of "Prince Adas Light Horse" defends our colony from brutal, godless savages in Northern Australia.

Although there has been limited contact with the Aboriginal peoples on the Australian continent prior to our settlement in Northen Australia. Many of these savages seems spooked about our presence in the fertile lands in North Australia.

The colony has been deemed a success since its foundation in January 1803. The many trees in the region has proven crucial for the construction of family homes and administrative buildings, the existance of creeks and lagoons has also been crucial for the irrigation of farmland. Although Millets and Wheat can survive without large irrigation efforts in this particular part of Australia. Large scale farming of said crops and farming of rice requires larger irrigation efforts in order to feed the population of slightly more than 50,000 people and its livestock.

Due to its fertility, the native savages believes this place to be sacred by their demonic gods and has resented of expansion farmlands in this region, these savages has not acted in force against our settlement. "A blessing directly from Allah himself (PBUH)" says the local Imam "Samudra", who leads the Islamic mission in the region.

However, earlier this week, a force of savage Aboriginal forces was spotted just east of "Samudras Creek" (Mickett Creek OTL), only kilometers from the settlement. The Militia, consisting of mainly farmers and craftsmen grabbing what tools they had was quickly assembled and barricades was established in the outlaying villages of the main settlement.

A detachment of savages, painted in warpaint and wielding shields, bows and spears attacked this village. Resulting in the death of eight militiamen. Our brave Cavalry was quick to join the battle, and relieved the Militia soon after the battle began. Killing as many as 45 savages in and around the village.

The remaining force of roughly 500 aboriginal soldiers fled South East to "Haltak Lagoon" (Mcminns Lagoon Wildlife Reserve OTL). On their way there, roughly 100 Aboriginal savages was cut down by our brave Cavalry. Most of the 400 remaining savages was slaughtered without mercy at the Lagoon. It is expected that roughly 100 Savages survived the battle and fled East.

Many questions has been raised by the settlers after the incident. Many fear that more attacks can await them in the future, and that unless appropiate messures are taken, more settlers may suffer the tragedies that has happened earlier this week.

"A detachment of a Hundered horsemen are not enough to protect the settlement. They can't patrol the outskirts effectively enough to ensure the safety of the colony. A Militia, wielding firearms is needed to protect our citizens from these savages, untill relieved by the cavalry." Said Governor "Noto Mihardjo" to the Austronesian Times in a recent interview.