"NORWEGIAN CENTENARY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 73, 29 March 1937, Page 12

"NORWEGIAN CENTENARY

Norway celebrated the foundation of its democracy in January. It was 100 years ago that powers were given to town and community councils. The Constitution of 1814 gave to the people the right to manage the affairs of the State. At that time, however, tiie position1 of the State functionaries was very strong, the people had no share in the government of their own affairs, such as the manner. in which the amounts brought in by taxation, were expended. When the Constitution was drafted at Eidsvold, the assembly saw the necessity of a complete reform of local administration. A committee was constituted to draft new laws and rules for towns and communities. The first proposal was submitted to the Storting in 1821, but it was returned for further development. The Storting of 1824 also adjourned the decision asking for further information on public expenditure and taxation. In 1833 the law was submitted to King Carl Johan XIV for sanction but was vetoed. It was not until 1837 that the King agreed to sanction the law whicb remained unchanged for nearly ninety years, until in 1921 it was brought up to date. Norway is one of the countries where community self-government is most strongly developed. The town and community councils have played a big-role in the development of Norwegian political life. They have been schools in which the people have been trained for public service and learned to know the need of the community. Nearly all who have been elected to the Storting have first been on some public committee and thereby become known to their fellow-citizens.