Manawatu Evening Standard. MONDAY, APRIL 22, 1940. ICELAND STANDS ALOOF.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 122, 22 April 1940, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. MONDAY, APRIL 22, 1940. ICELAND STANDS ALOOF.

Because the King of Denmark is unable to exercise his powers—according to the naive phrasing of a proclamation—lceland has broken oif relations with her “parent, 5 ’ Denmark. In the meantime, the Government, is empowered to exercise the King’s prerogative. There is perhaps a suggestion of impropriety about Iceland’s decision —the spurning by a child of a parent in its hour of need. In reality, however, this 'little country is making a stand for Democracy at its northernmost limits, reminiscent of the spirit of Belgium in the Great IVar and Czechoslovakia more recently. From the thirteenth century to the middle of the nineteenth century Icelandic history was predominantly sad, but out of its experiences have been moulded ways of life which are so highly prized that, short of becoming an “enemy country’ 5 by virtue of the fall of Denmark, it has severed relations with the homeland. In the ninth century the growing despotism which swept over Europe after the age of Charlemagne precipitated the settlement of this little country. The northern races had always prized liberty, and when the rule of King Harold of Norway became too autocratic many of his chieftains took their families, live-stock, possessions, and retainers and sailed out to the west, opening a romantic chapter in the history of colonisation. Half a century before Irish Cells had found refuge in Iceland, but with the arrival of the Vikings their stay was cut short, though something of their influence remained. Gradually the population grew, and it is intriguing to discover that in the year 930 the need for establishing some centralised form of government led to the meeting of the first parliament of the world, on the plains of Thingvellir. A legal system was formulated and human rights earned respect, a criminal ' code and trial by jury established, divorce legalised, and mutual insurance against fires instituted. In time Christianity was accepted by majority vote, and, while-Europe floundered in strife, Iceland set its feet on the highway of culture. From the thirteenth to the middle of the nineteenth century cruelties, unscrupulousness, and natural disasters wrought their influence, but the nation emerged with its faith intact. In time Iceland passed into the hands of Norway and later Denmark, regaining its freedom only in 1918. However, it has still been bound to the latter by an elastic Act of Union, though this year it was to have had the opportunity of becoming wholly free. Fate, it seems ; has stepped in and made the decision. A country of less than forty thousand square miles with a population not yet reaching a hundred thousand, Iceland is in many ways a remarkable little island’. It boasts proportionately more artists and poets than any other country of the world, and,

in proportion to the population, has more bookshops and publishes more books than any other country. It has been aptly remarked that the whole population counts —there are no very rich and very poor. The educational facilities are common to all, and, because militarism has been absent, war memorials and veterans’ homes are unknown. The women of Iceland were among the first in Europe to gain the franchise, and at marriage the woman retains her maiden name, adding the title “Fru”. The commonwealth, remarks the same observer, did not grow, but was deliberately established, and that spirit marks the people to-day. Possessing only poor, stony soil, wide expanses of lava deserts and icefields, it is comparatively barren, calling forth a pioneer spirit from the inhabitants. Peace is the essence of the land, and intellect and security have gone hand in hand. Prizing its heritage above all else, Iceland to-day, in its own manner, has before the world nailed its colours to the mast. Far from an impudent act, it is an inspiring example of faith and courage.