Norway

on the World Today

NORWAY is a land of contrasts — a land of black, sharp, glacier-like cliffs and green, sloping, arable countryside; of dark, sinister waters cleaving massive rocks and of bright, friendly harbors; of stark, wind-swept mountaintops and white, sea-lapped fishing villages. And its people truly reflect the characteristics of the land itself, for they are at once most hospitable and fiercely independent.

The Norwegian’s zest for independence is revealed in his love of the out-of-doors, in his flair for the slightly grotesque in art, in his strong attraction to the improvisations of American jazz, and in his walking of a political tightrope in international affairs.

The heart of the matter lies in the fact that, despite its Viking tradition and its vast legend and folklore, Norway has been an independent country only since 1905. For four centuries previous to that time it had periodically pledged its allegiance either to the Danes or to the Swedes and had been constantly struggling to be recognized as a separate nation.

When the Danish prince Carl was chosen by the Norwegian Storting to be the king in 1905, he refused the crown until his appointment could be confirmed by popular vote. He well knew that he would rule over a people that disliked to be governed by fiat and that a limited monarchy was the only form of government that would succeed. The overwhelming vote in his favor has been amply justified by the fifty years of economic progress which Norway has enjoyed under the leadership of its now octogenarian king, Haakon VII.

During the First World War the newly formed kingdom prided itself on remaining neutral. But the Second World War was a different story entirely, and before an adequate system of defense could be set up, Norway was invaded by the Germans and was inextricably involved in the conflict. The government continued to direct affairs while in exile in Britain, and the staunch Norwegians, enduring the hardships of seeing their country ravished, and irritating their captors with wry jokes that often ended in death for the Nazis, sat it out until they were at last liberated in 1945. Despite the five difficult years of Nazi occupation, the country has effected a remarkable recovery, and is respected throughout the world as a nation.

No silent partner

Experience taught the Norwegians the necessity of collective security in the event of future wars, and in April, 1949, Norway officially became a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. But even though it is proud of its affiliation with the West and is scornful of Sweden’s neutrality, it remains wary of some of the policies of the West. Memories of bombed cities and the resultant poor housing facilities are still too vivid to make Norway a trusting advocate of the rearmament of Germany. And the ugly specter of a reunited and military nation across the North Sea causes much uneasiness.

Norway will never become a silent partner in any alliance. This is a country willing to pay the price for its convictions and eager to pull its own weight in any agreement. Thus the Norwegians have shown a great willingness to be trained and to learn the techniques of American scientific methods, but they want to do things for themselves and, quite sensibly, with the least amount of disturbance to their own way of life.

For this industrious nation has fought hard to get a living out of a land full of natural obstacles. In stony, mountainous areas it seems nothing short of a miracle to see small patches of green farmland, with perhaps a potato crop planted, or a few cows grazing, where a less ambitious people would have feared to attempt such a conversion.

Tiny hamlets situated high up on the tops of dark cliffs edging the narrow fjords attest to the endurance and determination of their inhabitants. In many cases the only means of access to the outside world is by rope or cable down the face of the precipice to the waters below, and thence by small craft to the nearest outpost on the fjord. These craggy fastnesses hold a handful of people who have managed to make themselves self-sufficient and who are contented with struggling against a nature which has captured their very lives.

In times past, it has been said, certain farmers refusing to pay taxes could quite easily avoid the visit of any government official attempting to collect the levy by simply pulling up the rope or ladder. But a more modern law insists that there should be some other access to all taxable property. Sometimes this means that a primitive sort of step is formed in the rock or that iron bars roughly provide a foothold, but the law is loosely observed and not many strangers are able to penetrate these castles in the sky.

Fishing and forestry

Perhaps because the very terrain of his country presents a stiff challenge to him, the Norwegian has come to love dearly the sea and earth which have provided his chief means of livelihood. Over the years, fishing, farming, and forestry have been the principal occupations of the large majority.

The fishing is mainly seasonal, depending to a large extent on the great migrations of fish along the coastal waters. For example, in the waters off the Lofoten Islands, north of the Arctic Circle, each year from about February 1 to April 15 great processions of fishing craft ply their way up and down among the skerries. The average catch at this time varies, but 80,000 tons is considered a rewarding result. Herring, cod, and halibut are most abundant, and modern freezing methods have facilitated the export of 90 per cent of the annual catch.

Whaling is also a major factor in the Norwegian economy. Each year expeditions are conducted in far-off Antarctic seas where certain islands and a part of the mainland have been Norwegian territory for some two decades. Whale oil is drawn at huge factories at sea and is sold abroad in great quantities.

The abundance of birch trees and tremendous conifers provides lumber and pulp for paper mills situated in various parts of the country. It is quite common to see the circular nets of cut timber either floating like giant lily pads on the top of the inland lakes or being towed along by boat to a mill further on. In the past ten years, as much of the wood as could be spared without endangering the country’s economy has gone into the building of houses, but a great deal of it sent overseas. Norway’s trees provide the products for about 25 per cent of her total exports.

Plentiful Power

The many waterfalls that are to be found everywhere are harnessed to make electric power. In fact, Norway has such an abundance of electric power that most homes are even heated by electricity. Many people cannot afford the deluxe appliances that Americans are used to, but the power is available at very low cost.

Metallurgical and electrochemical industries have contributed to the economic expansion of the nation. And the steel plant opened at Mo i Rana, just south of the Arctic Circle, should help to cut the high costs of construction. Until now Norway has had to import all of its steel. The government has recently built an aluminum plant at Sunndalsora, southwest of Trondheim, which will produce at least 50,000 tons of aluminum annually. These and other industrial schemes designed to put natural resources of water power and iron ore deposit to more lucrative use should contribute a great deal to the nation’s economic well-being.

Revitalized transport

Although maintaining the timehonored traditions of his ancestors, the modern Norwegian is not contented with staying in a rut. New techniques are finding their way into every occupation. Building and sailing sturdy ocean-going ships have long been the Norwegians’ pride. They now can boast of the third largest merchant marine in the world, with a large percentage of sleekly designed motorships that would make almost any nation envious. Considering the fact that the merchant fleet suffered heavy losses at the hands of live Germans, the revitalization of shipping has been a gigantic accomplishment.

It is not only in the sea, but in the air as well, that great initiative has been shown. The Scandinavian Airlines System, with its inauguration of commercial polar flights from Oslo to Los Angeles and from Oslo to Tokyo, has clearly shown that Norway intends to take full advantage of her unique geographical position. Whereas formerly it took 70 hours to fly to Tokyo by way of India, it is now possible to make the trip in 32 hours by way of the Arctic Circle; and air travel time from Bodø to Los Angeles is but 22 hours. The airport at Bodø, north of the Arctic Circle, is being enlarged to accommodate the increased number of intercontinental flights, caused by this revolutionary change in the system of flying routes.

Norway’s social reforms

This change-over from an economy strictly geared to agriculture, fishing, and forestry to a more flexible and a more highly industrialized economy has, of course, been gradual, and was not accomplished without some growing pains. The high standard of living which the average Norwegian enjoys today can be attributed in large measure to the foresightedness of the Labor Party with its insistence on pension plans, regulated hours of work, and health programs.

Since 1909 this modern welfare state has had some form of health insurance. Under the present National Health Security System it is compulsory for all wage earners and optional for the self-employed. Approximately 85 per cent of the population come under the health insurance program, and benefit from the free medical care provided.

Those employed in dangerous occupations are covered by a special type of insurance which, in addition to medical care necessitated by an accident, guarantees workmen’s compensation should it become impossible for the victim to work a full number of hours during the week.

An old-age pension scheme provides for all over seventy years of age who have no other means of support or whose income is inadequate. Norwegians also receive something similar to our unemployment compensation, but since 1945 there has been little unemployment.

As early as 1919 an eight-hour day was established as the legal working day, and by the following year most workers were given the right to two weeks vacation with pay. In the past eight years a three-week vacation with pay has been guaranteed to the large majority of workers.

The fact is that Norway’s social reforms have kept pace with the industrialization of the country. As a result, though taxes to pay for the large welfare program cut heavily into the weekly pay check, the average worker’s lot is a happy one, unencumbered by worries about the future.

And this is in keeping with the Norwegian attitude that all work and no play was never beneficial to anyone. Although Norway has made great advances during the past half century, its people have never concentrated solely on the serious side of life. And when four o’clock comes each day, they leave their work behind them, for there is always a tomorrow. From Oslo it is but a short ride by trik to the Holmenkollen ski area; and in summer, sailing in the fjord is just as convenient.

Easter exodus

Easter marks the awakening from the long nights of winter and the return of the bright sun to the horizon. During the week before this event, there is a mass emigration from the cities to the mountainsides, and the capital city of Oslo seems a ghost town inhabited mostly by visitors from abroad. Families are off to their huts; hikers with their rucksacks begin their treks partly by train, partly by bus, to villages used as base camps for explorations beyond. Snow is still to be found on most of the slopes, and there is plenty of opportunity for cross-country walks on skis.

As the days encroach upon the nights and the midnights become twilights, the Oslo fjord abounds in sailboats and motor launches of all descriptions. The climax is reached on Midsummer’s Eve in June when every available craft from kayak to fast motor-driven yacht is decorated with flags, bunting, and branches of birch trees, and every Norwegian who has a friend who knows someone who has a part interest in a boat gets aboard for the celebration.

The harbor for miles around resounds with song, and as the last rays of a late-setting sun cast their pink and purple shadows, small bonfires begin to appear on the islands and on the hillsides overlooking the city. Families and communities gather around the holocausts, fireworks spray the skies, laughter and gaiety echo roundabout. Here is a nation of modest, simple folk, spontaneously friendly, proud of its inheritance and its countryside — a sincere and stalwart ally.