Le Nord : revue internationale des Pays de Nord - 01.06.1944, Page 200

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LE NORD
Finland as well as elsewhere arise in connection with employment
problems and may be placed under three heading: raw material,
markets, profits. Further we have, especially in connection with
the last mentioned heading, to discuss the question of invest-
ments and their planning; the problem has a different aspect
as compared with Sweden, considering the demand for recon-
struction work and the increased costs of production in Fin-
land. The organization of post-war economy in Finland cannot
be considered a mere employment problem, still less than in
Sweden. The plants of machinery and industrial buildings must
as soon as possible be brought into a perfect state after the wear
and tear damages caused by the war, and a fair supply of food
must be maintained as far as possible. In both cases conditions
are more unfavourable in Finland than in Sweden.
The problem of raw material may become great in Finland
immediately during the transition period from war to peace, par-
ticularly while peace is not universal and trade with other coun-
tries has not yet been re-established. The supply of raw material
in Finland is very deficient — which has been greatly felt. Fair
amounts of metal, chemicals, coal, oils, etc., have hitherto been
imported. How soon will an import of raw material from other
countries be possible and what quantities will be supplied? Ur-
gency is important as there are many pressing demands for a
quick increase and reorganization of production. Such demands,
amongst others, are supplies to Russia included in the reparations,
house-building, and supplementing of plant for production.
For this purpose trade with other countries must be opened, and
credits secured as Finnish assets in foreign countries have dimin-
ished seriously. Sweden has, with appreciable readiness, granted
credits and shipments of large supplies of industrial require-
ments and food. There might also be a possibility of importing
raw materials from Russia.
The questions on the export markets are partly similar in
Finland and Sweden as regards refined forest produce (timber,
paper, etc.). There is a great difference, however, barring the
fact that Sweden’s export comprises a greater variety. Large
stocks of finished export goods, such as cellulose, are in Sweden
ready to be thrown into the market at once. Finland, on the
other hand, has been living from day to day for a long time.
There are no stores and, what is worse, there is not a sufficient