Helsinki, or Helsingfors, as it used to be, is now the capital of one of the most progressive countries of Europe, with advanced legislation and social laws, and with a very energetic population. And Finland is democratic. Right through most of the 19th century, when Finland was a semi-autonomous Grand-Duchy under Russia, the Finns were already practising the acts of self-government, and so, when entire independence came, they had had useful preliminary practical experience, unlike some of the other new States created by the war. But, until the present invasion, there were few outward signs to remind one of Russia's long connection with Finland, apart from a few Russian Orthodox Churches, "Tsar Maiden"
An Ideal Show For Children The atteniont of parents is called to the new production of Lo Ballet Russe, a fantastic ballet entitled "The Tsar Maiden." This show is a fascinating and amusing entertainment for children, especially girls, and there will be reduced prices for children on Sunday, February 4, at the matinee performance, Lovely scenery, beautiful dancing, comical miming will enchant the young audience. Of especial interest will be the appearance of three youthful ballerinas, Joy Blackwood, Merkoulova and Roth in the scene of the under-sea kingdom. with their distinctive architecture of rounded cupolas.
There is no illiteracy in Finland. The general cultural standard is among the highest in the world, and Helsinki proudly claims to possess the finest book shop in Europe, Women's Part All workers in industry are entitled by law to an annual summer holiday of not less than seven working days, and clerks, shop assistants, and warehouse workers get from seven days to one month, according to length of service. Wages, judged on a cash basis in comparison with other countries, are low. But there are no extremes of wealth and poverty. The Prime Minister of Finland receives a salary equivalent to £400 a year, and a judge of the Supreme Court receives a similar sum.
Women play an important part in the national life. They are to be found everywhere, working in the fields and farms with the men, and in all the professions. There' are women bus conductors in Helsinki and women cashiers in the banks, and there are women dentists and architects and so on.
Finns, in common with other of the Scandinavian peoples, have different mealtimes from us. The Finns mostly work in their offices from nine to three o'clock, only taking some light refreshment at midday. They indulge in no heavy lunch at one o'clock Their principal meal is at four o'clock, after the offices are closed and when the day's work is done. Then ín the summer they have five or six hours for recreation and games in their wonderful long Northern evenings,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.