The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-05-17
THE RECONSTRUCTION IN FINLAND

years, the rental being paid in labor and money. These tenants have been dependent on the landlord to a large extent and their economic condition has been.often weak. Under the new law the tenants may become owners of the land worked by them. A com mittee appointed by the government appratses the land, from which the value of the improvements made by the tenant is deducted. The govern ment loans the money, which can be paid back duhing a period of one hundred years. in the form of small annual payments. a part of which is applied on the principal and a part for interest.
 This reform will have a very great influence on the development of agri- culture in Finland for the farmer will be working his own land instea l of the land of another. The topo- graphy of Finland Is such as to make the small farm productive of the best results. For this reason the govern ment has for some time encouraged the division of the great estates into smaller farms. and to assist those who wish to become landowners.
 Labor Conditions.
 Labor conditions have been i'm proved by legislation over a period of years. For a long time factories and other industries have been under strict supervision and good care has been taken to safeguard the health of the workers. A law providing for the eight-hour day has been en- acted comprising all induthries. but excluding farming and related pur- suits. which law goes into effect dur ing the present year. A beginning has been made in workmen's old age and disability insurance and final arrangements will be completed in the near future. New protective laws have been enacted and employ ment agencies have been made mu- nicipal institutions. and no individual. firm. or corporation is permitted to operate an employment agency The government superyises the enforce ment of this law very strictly. Sew era1 remedial reforms in addition to the above are under consideration.
 Trade and Industry.
 The business men and manufactur- CTS have enthusiastically undertaken an expansion of their activities. The ministry of commerce and industry has emphasized the necessity of this in order to make productive the nat ural resources of the country and that the commerce and industry may be retained in the hands of citizens. The exports must be de to more nearly approximate the imports, to prevent the accumulation of too great an import balance.
 Finnish industries are embarking on new and wider paths: new fac tories have been constructed. and plans for a great many others are be- ing enlarged and remodeled to suit modern conditions.
 A great step has been taken in ths arrangement of commercial rela- tions. New markets are being sought for the products of the country and new sources of importation are being opened up, all of which is now pos sible after independence from Rus sian domination has been secured The aim Is to provide direct connec- tions with the various nations, among them the United States. and to do away with the necessity of dealing with intermediates in the neighbor- ing countries. Representatives of sev- eral large Finnish firms are already in this country awaiting the oppor- tunity for sending American goods