LIFE IN ESTHONIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27387, 12 May 1950, Page 2

LIFE IN ESTHONIA

The Ravages Of War An account of the Baltic State of Esthonia was given to members of the Home Economics Association by Mrs J. C. Bellwood at a central branch meeting held this week. . „ , . Over 75 per cent, of Esthonia s population of 1,000,000 was engaged in rural work, Mrs Bellwood said. The land, no larger in area than Otago and Southland, was flat and intensely cultivated. Besides agricultural and pastoral industries timber and shale oil were produced and flax was grown. In the cities people were housed in flats, and this made the extent of the cities seem much smaller In spite of the fact that Esthonia had frequently been a battle ground for her neighbours,' the people had retained their own individuality and language. Within the last 10 years. Mrs Bellwood said, foreien invasions had proved disastrous to the Esthonian programme, based on freedom and individuality. Germany had bombed the towns and villages, leaving many people homeless and hungry; and then came the domination of Russia with all business controlled by commissars, education under Soviet regime, and scant communication with the outside world. Mrs Bellwood, one of 75,000 refugees, made her escape through Sweden.