The Avalonian economy, with the shift in currencies, economic problems in Seris and heightened importance on similar programs, experiences a depression. Economists think it is not too severe, and that moderate measures should be taken to protect against foreign trade market problems. Staple crops moderately increase in price. Labor unions cry for increases in wages. Although rioting as a result is uncommon, robberies of bakeries becomes more common. Experts predict that the depression will be over in 6-10 years, given the government takes responsible actions.
Firstly, please clarify "heightened importance on similar programs; I'm not sure what that means exactly and can't address it until I do. Thanks. Also it seems backwards that food prices would go up when more food is being produced as a result of mechanized farming and fertilizer.
Chancellor Walter addresses the nation in a public address in Nazgar, which is published in newspapers across Avalonia. He commends the Avalonian people on their industriousness, cites the camaraderie and willingness to help one another displayed by wealthy Avalonians as extremely praiseworthy, and lauds the spirit of ingenuity and hard work that brought Avalonia from a collection of off and on feuding city states to a powerful actor in the international community. He calls on the Avalonian people to continue to be their best, and assures them that the Avalonian government will do likewise: "I well know that we are a naturally conservative people, that change is not close to our hearts. I know that the change in currency, that the troubles in Seris, that a lot of things can replace the confidence within us with fear, with panic. But I stress to you this day that it is not these things which we should fear; these are external; these things alone cannot harm us; the only thing we have to fear is fear itself! This alone can harm our proud nation."
Following this, former chancellor Vjornsberg, beginning to show signs of age but still displaying the vigor which helped to make him so extremely popular, takes the stage. He starts by reiterating his personal commitment to the Avalonian people, and notes that the people should in turn support their neighbors in these trying times, "from the rich industrialist, to the sailor abroad, to the urchin on the street", Avalonians should not harden their hearts to the suffering of one another, nor capitalize on the disadvantaged state of others, nor steal from his neighbor, and expresses his shame that any Avalonians have been reduced to stealing, and that even a small minority has become violent. He notes that he is suspending, for the time being, his higher aims of scholarships and libraries, to divert his fortunes to employing those who would work for their bread, for a time, on personal projects like the improvement of his lands, and encourages others of means to do similarly. "Now is not the time to abandon that which raised us to our zenith simply because we have slipped from it."
Less publicly, Avalonia raises import tariffs slightly on finished goods, particularly those already produced locally, and lowers its consumption tax slightly to increase consumer spending. The Avalonian government reaffirms its position on unions, expressing that it respects the right of workers to organize in a way that does not affect public safety to negotiate wages and working conditions or to do so individually, it likewise respects the right of businesses to hire scabs, relocate, or temporarily close their gates, and will continue to try to act as a mediator should it be desired by both parties. The Avalonian government also expresses its willingness co cooperate with foreign investment.
Vessels from Seris are subjected to heavier quarantine and screening measures to prevent the possible spread of plague. Avalonia pays Serisian papers to advertise that, at this time, Avalonia is not an economic haven for the unemployed, and immigrants lacking technical skill will likely experience more difficulty finding work there than they will in paces like Valbrandsvag or Vlast or where have you. These articles are worded carefully to discourage unskilled foreigners from immigrating to Avalonia without discouraging trade.
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