" WE SHALL RISE AGAIN... " The Great Spirit Of A Little Nation

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 70, 23 March 1940, Page 1 (Supplement)

"WE SHALL RISE AGAIN... " The G re at Spirit Of A Little Nation

OUT of the tumult and misery of the Great War arose one nation that has, through twenty-two years of peace, been happy and contented. Her people sought no spoils of war; they coveted no nation's land; they wanted no foreign tribute for their coffers. They had gained what they prized most of all, their freedom, the right to plan their own future and develop their national life. That country is Finland. During eight centuries of subjugation the Finns had kept the lamp of their patriotism trimmed and burning lo arise in lfllS and establish the Republic of Finland, one of the finest and truest democracies the world has known. The story of Finland is like a fairy tale, the legend of a lovely lady whom a giant had kept imprisoned through centuries till a

gallant knight- came and set her free. Tlio giant has lately sent flic great dragon of war against her. Now the smoke of kittle has cleared; may a happy ending ho assnrcd for the fairy tale. In the twelfth century (lie Finns were converted to Christianity by Swedish missionaries and became part of Sweden. Their land remained under Swedish rule till ISO 9, when it was handed over to "Russia and became a self-govern-ing Grand Duchy in the Russian Umpire. The people were satislied with the change till Russia began to interfere with the government and tyrannise over the people. In 1017 Finland declared her independence, but it was not till the next year, when the Finnish Army under FieldMarshal Mnmicrlicim defeated the Soviet forces, that the Finns were free from Russian domination. Then this sturdy people began to create a happy, self-supporting country. Like .every other Kuropcan "nation embroiled in the Great War, Finland has war debts, but, unlike the other nations, she paid her war debts. The land has no great variety of natural resources, hut industry and good management brought prosperity. Life for the Finns has always been a constant struggle witli thin soil and severe winters. Forests of pine, spruce and birch are her chief wealth, and provide material for her most important industries—the milling of timber, the making of wood-pulp, matches, and such sports equipment as snow skis. During the short summer rafts of logs lloat across the lakes and millions of logs come down stream swirling through the rapkls. Finland's rivers have many rapids which can provide more electrical power than she could ever use. Some of these rapids are already harnessed. The best known are the Imatra Rapids. The power station there supplies the whole of South and Central Finland. The Eammcioski Rapids supply the prosperous manufacturing town of Tampere.

Dniryiu" ranks next in importance to Uic limlicr industry, and provides the second largest group of exports—lmtter and cheese. Fanning communities are contented because every fanner owns his own land. No one is very wealthy, as tile holdings are not lug. There is little room in the immensity of lake and forest, for broad estates, and the democratic system of government discourages their formation. Finland is a fairyland of magical beauty, with sparkling lakes studded with tree-decked islands. Winter blankets, the whole, land with snow, encrusts the lakes with thick ice, and freezes the fringing waters of the Baltic. Sluing comes laic. Summer is intense, with long hours of sunshine. Crops mature and ripen quickly in the genial warmth. The air is clear and sweet, spiced with the scent of nine and spruce. In summertime there are many attractions for the tourist and tbo holidnymaker—were is the better word now. for Finland has fallen

on hard tunes again, .i here will bo many sad hearts when the summer comes, and many .-.mis must cross the Arctio Circle before her wounds are healed. There may he few hikers from abroad cycling and tramping on her roads, feutourists motoring north to the Great Arctic Highway. Will the white lake steamers thread their way this year through the maze of "lakes, "and the pliant, rapids boats come shooting down the roaring rapids? Finland had many attractions to otter the tourist— comfortable rail and boat travel, cheap fares, cheap and good accommodation, cheap refreshment. There arc fine modern cities—best known is the capital, Helsinki, the "White City of the North." Of all the roads in the world none can be more fascinating than the Great Arctic Highway, the only motor road to the Arctic Ocean. It traverses a land of wild, strange beauty, where darkness is unknown in summer. Day stretches from spring to autumn, with spring for its dawn and autumn its twilit eve. There live several thousand Lapps who still gain a livelihood, as of old, by breeding herds of reindeer. Ever since the last war Finland has feared an attack from her old enemy, Soviet Russia. That is why she built the Jlaniierheim Lilie. That is why she trained her soldiers in the type of warcraft that proved so effective against her mighty foe in the snow-clad forests. That is why her women formed their own army, the Lotta Svard, to help their men. That is why Baron Maiinerheim was ready to come out of his retirement and lead his beloved people. Only their tierce love of country could have made the Finns tight so gallantly to defend her against fearful odds. Now. after almost four months of lighting, it would seem that Finland is to have peace again. Tile spirit of the Finnish people is best expressed in the words of Captain Kiirlsson, master of the sailing vessel Penang. "Finland is our country and we love our country. Even if we are defeated we shall rise again. We shall build a new Finland."