u· N I TE D N. A TI 0 N S ·Distr, ~ A/2653 . GENERAL 17 August 1954 ASSEMBLY ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

Ninth· session

INFORMATION FROM NON .. sELF·GO~"ERNmG TEimi'l'ORIES • SUMMARY .AND JUqALmiS OF INFORMATION TRANSMI'ITED UNDER ARTICLE 73 e OF TEE CHARTER. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY .. QENERAL

Summary of ~nformation transmitted by the Government of Denmark!/

On 3 August 1954, the PerJnanent :Pelegation of Denmark to the United Nations forwarded information.transmitted by the Government of Denmark.under Article 73 e in respect of Greenland. The :information opens with a reference to the change in the constitutional

posi ti~n of Greenland and to the notification by Dentnal•k that the .obliget~on t.o transmit information u~der Article 73 e is considered to have ceased as from .5 June 1953. Since the info1•mation submitted in 1953 covered the period ending

31 March. 1953,gj the. period f~om 1 April . to 5 June 1953 remains to be ~ported on. The Government of Denmark states that, in view of the fact that this report will be the last, i't has ~onsidered it expedi.ent to give a compendium of de~relopments during the years which led to the constitutional amendment of ' · 5 J'une 1953, rather than place ~)le main stress, as hitherto, on an individual . . . . year. In consequence, this summary is similarly comprehensive. Where a year is mentioned without qualification, it refers to the twelve months end.ing 31 March in the ye&r given. The currency is the Greenland kron~r, which is on terms of parity with the Danish kroner, and is equivalent to $0.14477 in u.s. currency.

Y This surumary is also submitted to the Committee on Information from Non-self­ 'I Governing Territories. I 1 !/ United Nations: Document A/2409, dated 27 July 1953· '1 1 54-22798 A/2653 English Page 2 Denmark: Greenland

Geography, history and people

The total land area is 2,175,600 square kilometres, of which 1,833,900 square kilometres are covered by the ice cap, The country has a polar climate. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the tendency has been for the temperature of the air and sea to rise. Along the west coast, this has contributed to a decrease in sea mammals and has led to a large increase in the occurrence of fish. As a result, communities of hunters have become communities of fishermen. In general, the location and climate of the country, the small population distributed in scattered settlements afford possibilities for only a very modest standard of living if no support is given from the outside world. The fact that Greenland has become part of the Nordic countries must in the first instance be attributed to geographical conditions - its location on the North At1.c1ntic not far removed by sea from the number of islands anrl peninsulas forming the Nordic countrieso Greenland has never been a colony in the same sense as the overseas possessions of other European powers. It has been considered, as far back as the days of the Vikings, a Nordic dominion. The population as at 31 December 1952 was 24,76~of whom 23,360 were Native Greenlander~. The population of West Greenland was 22,665, of East Greenland 1,703 and of North Greenland 4oo. The total Native and non~Native population for previous years were:

Native Non-Native 1939 - 18,257 1939 ':" 197 1942 - 19,819 1949 - 941 1947 ... 21,825 1952 - 1,408 1952 - 23,360 ' The follmving is a breakdown of the 1952 Native population by age and sex: Under 12 years 12 years and over Total :Males 4,294 7,095 11,389 Females 4,229 7,742 11,971 8,523 14,837 23,360 A/2653 English Denmark: Greenland Page 3

During the past 150 years the Native population has quadrupled, and in the last 50 years it has doubled. Since the beginning of the eighteenth century the majority of the population has been mixed mainly with Scandinavian blood, to such an extent that it can no longer be said to be of the Eskimo race.

Government

For the change by which the constitution of Denmark has been extended to comprise Greenland see communication from the Government of Denmark concerning Greenland) document,A/AC.35/L.+55, 7 December 1953. The first parliamentary election in Greenland took place in the autumn of 1953. In the Northern part of West Greenland, the percentage of electors voting was 66.8, and in the Southern part 70.4. It has not yet been possible to extend suffrage to the Danish Parliament to the very thinly populated areas of North and East Gr~enlartd, but this will be done as soon as technical facilities permit, While Greenland was not represented in the Danish Parliament until the passing of the new Constitution in 1953, a certain measure of self-government in local affairs was introduced in the middle of the nineteenth century, and gradually extended. Under the Administration of Greenland Act of 18 April 1925 for West Greenland, 76 Municjpal Councils, 13 District Councils ?tnd 2 Provincial

Counci~were created; the so-called Hunter's Council has operated for the North Greenland population; and since 1946 there have been 2 District Councils in East Greeland. By Act of 27 May 1950, the 2 Provincial Councils of West Greenland were combined in theGreenlandCouncil, with greater powers and final authority to decide on certain matters. In the place of the subordinate councils, West Greenland was divided into 16 municipalities administered by councils with greater authority than that of the previous councils. The Greenland Council now has 13 members, elected for four years by universal suffrage. Electors must be at least 23 years old and comply with certain conditions of the same nature as those applying in the rest of Denmarkc The Greenland Council is in many way similar to the County Councils in the rest of Denmark, although it has far more extensive powers. All bills for measures A/2653 English Page 4 Denmark: Greenland •

affecting Greenland are sucmi tted to it for deliberation and recommenda·.iion before they ar~ laid before the Danish Parliament; as well. as all bills or proposals for administrative regulations of special importance to the Greenland community. The Council has also authority to decide on a number of matters, particularly in respect of the social welfare services of Greenland. The administration of Greenland is exercised by a special Government e.genr:;,v, the Greenland Department, which is under the supervision of the Prime Minister, Trade production and navigation are managed by the Royal Gree.nland Trade Department. All matters of general importance with regard to Greenland are submitted to the special Greenland Committee of the Danish Parliament. This Committee comprises 10 members, two of whom are the Greenland members for the time being of the Danish Parliamento

The Judit~ature Act of 1951 separated ·the administration of justice from the executive power. Jurisdiction is held partly by the High Court, which has its seat in Greenland, and partly by the lower courts, of which there is one in each

municipality~ In February 1951, a committee was appointed to make proposals for the introduction of provisions within the field of civil law and for the establishment of a uniform legal system in Greenland on the principle that the provisions to be introduced shall apply to all persons residing in Greenland.

ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

General

Hans Egede, a Danish pastor who received Royal letters of appointment in 1721, operated in the belief that economic activities in Greenland were to be subordinated to missionary work and should form the basis of that work, This principle was in time modified, implying instead that economic activities were to form the basis of cultural work. For the past 150 years it has thus been

generally recognized that Denmark·~ s task i.n Greenland was to help its population to attain a cultural and economic standard ·which would make possible the gradual establishment of communications with the rest of the world without exposing the Greenlanders to exploitation. A/2653 English Denmark: Greenland Page 5

Until the early years of this century the hunting of sea mammals) particularly seRls, was the principal occupation of the people, A natural economy prevailed, as practically all requirements were covered by the proceeds of hunting. As the stock of sea mammals diminished, and the population grew , rapidly, hunting, however, became unsatisfactory as an economic basisj and, with the. appearance of large numbers of codfish off the coasts of Southern Greenland, . ' cod fishing became of chief importance. This structural change from a community of hunters to a community of fishermen has made its mark on the development of the country and wi~l remain one of the most prominent features of the future. In the course of a couple of decades the previous natural economy has been gradually replaced by a monetary economy - the cod being sold in the world market and the requirements of the population being covered in the main.by imported goods. As regards international commerce, to ensure a steady increase in the standard of living of the inhabitants irrespective of world price fluctuations, the State from 1774 monopolized all trading activities, making Greenland a c~osed Territory. In 1950 a Government Commission on reorganization recommended that the prevailing principle of balancing revenues and e}~enditures should be abandoned, The current view is that Greenland is a less prosperous part of the Realm and must be aided by the rest of the country. The main object is to raise living standards materially and to create such conditions as would increase productivity. An Act of 27 May 1950 on Trading Activities in Greenland which came into force on 15 April 1951 reserved to Greenlanders and otber Danish subjects with at least six months residence the right to carry on trade. It abolished the law providing for a Government trade monopoly and thus Greenlann was no longer a closed country. Most of the commercial and productive activities, however, are still operated by the Government.

This free communication between Gr~enland and the rest of the world has made it necessary to adapt the price levels to those of the world market. A Price Equalization Fund was set up in 1952 so that savin~s effected in times of high prices can be used to adjust the difference in times of low p~ices. A/2653 English Page 6 Denmark: Greenland

Agriculture and livestock

Nm~here in thf:> country do climatic conditions afford possibilities for actual agriculture. Nor is forestry of any extent possible. The inhabitants earn their livingJ in the main, from the sea. While the climate does not permit the cul tivat ion of cereals, grass grows in the southern part of \vest Greenland sufficient t.o provide for sheep farming. \\Tinter feed is provided through ha;y ... making and the grm~ing of fodder-beets. In addition, potatoes and vegetables are being gro1vn to supply the sheep farmers • households, From an ecm~2rnic point of view, the varying and erratic climate makes sheep farming highly precarious$ Two agricultural research stations are operated by the State to carry out experimental lvork ir. all matters pertaining to sheep breeding, agriculture and horticulture·' and. :i.n addition, to render consul tat ion services through experts and to }:"~remote pr0duction. No agricultural schools exist, but young people who desire agricultaral training may be taken on as apprentices at the agricultural research stations for a 3-4 Jret: :1 course. Those with aptitude for the work 1vho desire advanced training are sent to Denmark. At the conclusion of their training students maJ:- be given on loan a flock of sheep and funds to establish a sheep farm of their cwn. A Regulation of 20 March 1921 lvi th respect to the Acquisition of Land for

Agric.ult~u·al Purposes in Scuthern Greenland provides that any person intending tc- take -..~r farmir:g ma~~ on aprlic.ation be granted permission to settle free of charge on a s};ec:!.fied. I;lct of land, entitlement to hold the land being 6.ependent cc its satisfactcry c~ltivaticn. Tbere arf' tetv:eer: 4CC' ar-.d 5CC persons subsisting solely or mainly on sheep

,...... 8~1_,./_ 1952 1953

S;..co- 11 ...... ~:-- -"T) ""OC\.. .. 16,000 19,000 E~~ses 75 100 150 :1.,'\fi~S 35 2C 20 "'"'~--..,o c:::- "",.., ""' ....: ...... """' /'- 50 6o ll""'~...... ;:.....-..::: ...... -... --- 2,CCC 2,000 2,000 - 3,000 A/2653 English Denmark: Greenland Page 7

The development in the stocks of sheep since 1915 was as follows:

Year No. of sheep 1915 300 1925 1,6oo 1935 7,000 1940 10,000 1945 1'"{,000 1948 22,000 1949 . 11,000 1950 14,ooo J-952 16,ooo 1953 19,000 The number slaughtered during 1940 to 1953 were: Year Number slaughtered 1940 3,900 1946 7,100 1948 10,200 1949 5,4oo 1951 5,100 1952 7,700 1953 9,000 In the autumn of 1952 an experiment with a herd of 300 reindeer was dtarted, under the direction of a young Green1ander, with a view to increasing meat production. After some difficulties of acclimatization the herd has settled down to the new conditions and breeding is proceeding satisfactorily. Hunting, though diminished, is still the principal trade in North and East Greenland and in the Northern districts of West Greenland. Gross income from sales to The Royal Greenland Trade Department of products of sea and land hunting were:

1939-40 1949-50 1953 Kr.ooo Kr.ooo Kr.ooo Seal skins 6o 70 44o Fox furs and bear skins 102 148 250 Blubber 153 183 550 Sundry products 29 18 6o 344 419 1,300 A/2653 English Page 8 Denmark: Greenland

E_2E_estry

In 1948, an expedition of forestry experts, having investigated the possibilities of rational forestry in Greenland, concluded it was possible to establish systeruatic forestry on a minor scale, mainly in the districts around the heads of the Fjords in the Julianehab district. In the summer of 1953, between 6,000 and 7,000 conifers from seeds of hardy conifers procured in sub~arctic areas and grown in nurseries in Denmark, w~re planted. In 1954, a similar number of trees will be planted, The success of this experiment will be of no slight economic importance to Greenland where fuel is scarce and timber can be used in a variety of ways.

Fisheries

There are between 1,500 and 2,000 fishermen, for l,4oo of whom fishing is their principal trade, The average production per fisherman was 8,500 kilograms in 1949, 13,000 in 1952, and 14,ooo in 1953. Statistics of cod and salted fish were:

Beheaded and Converted Estimated total Quantity of cleaned cod into whole production incl. salted fish sold to the codfish of home con- produced Trad.e Dept. sumption tons tons tons tons 1939 4,100 6,200 10,000 2,300 1946 10,000 15,000 19,000 6,200 1949 9,7oo I 14,500 19,500 6,000 1953 12,650~ 19,000 25,000 5,900 a/ of which 1,250 tons used in the production of dried fish and 6oo tons for fillets. A/2653 English Denmark: Greenland Page 9

Purchases by the Royal Greenland Trade Department of fish products other than ·~od:

1939 1946 1949 1953 Cod liver tons 101 328 306 about 550 Shark liver II 434 493 447 388 Shark skins each 6,700 o I I 2,100 2,700 Wolf-fish tons 1,793 Wolf-fish skins each 24,4oo 51,300 102,000 900 Halibut tons 140 203 265 356 Salted salmon " 52 16 24 56 Lumpfish roe kg. about 13,000 Shrimps ' " 4,500 22,100 324,800 statistics of gross income from the sale of fish and fish products to the Royal Greenland Trade Department were:

1939-40 1949-50 1953 Kr.ooo Kr.ooo Kr.OOO Codfish 264 1,633 2,900 Other fish and fish products 109 248 _klOO 37.3 1,881 4,000 Shrimp fishing is a relatively new trade. In 1946, catches amounted to 4,500 kg, and in 1953 to 324,800 kg., and possibilities for further development seem favourable. Canning is carried on at the two canneries of the Royal Greenland Trade Department. Development of the fishing industry is promoted by the terms on which loans and subsidies may be obtained under a government scheme. In consequence, since 1949 the use of rowing boats is rapidly declining and privately owned motor boats are being used to an increasing extent. The tendency now is to change from open motor boats to larger, full-deck boats capable of fishing off-shore. A/2653 English Page 10 Denmark: Greenland

StatiRt:i.cs of crafts privately owned ·Here:

Rowing boats Motorboats Cutters No:-of which Total No. of which upwards of participating participating 10 tons in product~.on. in production. ---·-·----~------~------

19~8 ."l ' 4•"'0c 1,100~( 73 65~/ 1 qltf1 ·1 qnl --; < ' ('_ 1,6ooa; 128 125a/ 1 0h. ·) 2, ) :>n 1,888 336 288 2 195) 1,385 516 484 8

Due t.o the concentration of population in fewer settlements, the number of fish st0rPS has decreased, but floor space has increased from 7,600 sq~ metres in 1939 tr lh!OOO sq. met1·~s in 1953. There are five freezing plants and 41 fish­ drying plants. These installations are operated by the Trade Department. FPr the pn:rplJRf' of promoting fishery, the Government has carried out fishery­ h:ioJ ~~gical research work in Greenland waters. These investigations have yielded Ct.;nsiderable results. In 19r::3 three specially equipped vessels participated in marking experitnPnts on codfish and halibut, experimental fishery with pound nets, i;1veetigations of herring and salmon occurrences, temperature, measurements, etc. A number of investi.gations of shrimp occurrences was carried out, in the course of ;:-:hich .3 promising shrimp grounds were discovered. In 1952 collaboration was c0mmenced with the Ministry of Fisheries in Copenhagen, both as regards prcdncti.cn conditions and with regard to control of quality and sales of the

Mining

Considerable coal resources are available, but the calor·~ .fie content is relativel:r small, 4,000 to 5,000 effective thermal units as cvmpared with upwards cf -,.. ~~·CC ~nits in British household coal. Mining for export is not a paying ;r;:")rcsi t.icr:. and. the small coal mine operated by the Government at Qutdligssat

~a~ ta::.A.:::;;,- .::c rr.ci"e than attempt to meet domestic requirements. An investigation ty s. 3::.~::. -::ish ::ining engineer in 1951 indicated that it was possible to increase

2=a: prc.::~~ticn by a radical change in mining methods and increased use of mechanized operations. As a result, the Government contracted with a Danish ::.r.;. -::.c .:;·e:::-ate the mine on behalf of the State while undertaking the necessary A/2653 English Denmark: Greenland Page 11

operational changes. The contract stipulated that there should be no lbss in the economic and social conditions of the miners. The new methods of operation ·Vlere introduced in 1953 vli th nev7 equipment and improved storage. The rise in production was immediate and considerable, output in 1953 being 9,600 tons as compared v7ith 4,000 tons in 1952. Statistics of coal produced and imported were:

Imports Output of coal tons tons

1939-1940 6,400 500 1946-1947 7,400 4,200 1949-1950 4,900 7,200 1953-1954 9,6oo 9,500 A deposit of valuable cryolite, situated at Ivigtut, is mined by a private company in which the State holds fifty per cent of the shares. About two-thirds of the creolite mined is shipped to Co~enhagen for processing and thence exported, the remainder being exported directly from Ivigtut to the United States. Statistics of cryolite exports v1ere:

1939 1946 1949 1953 tons tons tons tons

Exports 57,000 30,000 46,ooo 46,000 of which: To Copenhagen 41,000 20,000 28,000 29,000 To U.S.A. 16,000 10,000 18,000 17,000

Power

In 1948, the building of the first three power plants began and in 1949 they v7ere put into service. In the years +.'allowing, the number and capacity were increased. This followed the drawing up of a plan for the electrification of all important settlements to provide electric lighting and power for the radio stations and contemplated industrial undertakings. All power plants are Diesel-operated except one which is coal fired, and all but two of these plants are Government-operated by Danish engineers who train the Greenland employees. A/2653 English Page 12 Denmark: Greenlawl

Statistics of electricity were:

Number Capacity Power Electric plants light plants kwa 1949 3 11 1,380- 1950 4 11 3,250 1951 7 11 3,630 1952 10 11 4,500 1953 11 11 5,370

Industry

There are few possibilities for industrial activity. During the past five or six years the processing of fish has increased to such an extent as to create the basis for industrial development on a minor scale. In addition to the processing of fish products for export there is also the processing of sheep farming products, the repair and building of boats and engines for the fishing trade and coastwise shipping. A cannery with a quick freezing unit and a daily capacity of three tons was established in 1950 at Christianshab so that the rich shrimp catches might be fully exploited. In 1952, a new modern cannery at Narssaq for sheep farming products with its own power plant and waterworks replaced l the old cannery at Julianshaab. Statistics of industrial production were: I I Number of Annual production by amount establishments Units 1951 1952 1953 Abattoir and cannery 2 Lambs and sheep killed no. 5,100 7,700 9,000 Mutton fat kg. 5,600 5,000 11,600 Casings bundles/ 3,600 5,000 5,000 Canned meat t'J.ns- a 11,890 31,440 44,4oo Sbrimps - raw tons 104 238 323 boiled frozen kg. p) 9,300 4,300 6,700 canned tins 148,o4o 467,600 657,000 a/ Tins of 1/8 to 1 kilogramme each. b/ .Tins of ~5 kilogrammes net each. English Denmark: .Greenland Page 13

Number of Annual production by amount establishments Units 1951 l95c 19)5

Fishery processing stations and plants 118 Codfish, salted tons 5,052 5,900 Halibut, salted brls. 517 356 frozen fillets tons 23 635,000 Wolf fish skins number 103,031 250,000(kg) 900 Cod liver oil plants 20

Deep fleezing plants 5

Boat yard 1 contracts 295 315

Shipyard 1 repairs 200 200 200

Printing shops 2

Transport and communications

Practically all trans~ortation between settlements is by sea, as no rc~ds or railways exist. The Royal Greenland Trade Department operates ~oth coastal

and most· of the oc~an~g~ing traf~ic to and from Greenland using 23 s~all and 2 large motor vessels, and five freight-and-passenger ships. During 1953, 68 trips were made to the west and 8 to the east coast. Statistics of shipping were:

Quantity of good~ carried 1947 1949 1951 1953 tons tons tons tons

To West and North Greenland

from:

Copenhagen (general cargo and oil) 18,73~/ 31,145~/ 26,597 40,746 Mediterranean (salt) 6~000 6,670 7,993 6,300 ·U.K. and u.s.A. (coal) 4,720 7,199 ·10 ,292 6,793 To East Greenland from Copenhagen (general cargo and oil) 2,893 2,793 29,450 45,014 47,775 56,629 !/ Shipments to East Greenland included. A/2653 English Page 14 Denmark: Greenland

Statistics of passenger traffice were: Number of passengers carried 1947 1949 1951-- 1953

Government ships 334 517 1,061 1,065 Chartered " 145 236 398 935 Aircraft 39 308 410 482 Total 518 1,061 1,869 2,482

Telegra~: In 1953, there were 43 telegraph stations in operation as compared with 39 in 1952. In addition, 15 radio-telephone stations were operating.

Public finance

l·letropoli tan Government recurrent expenditures were: 1939-40 ];947-48 1949-50 1951-52 (thousands of kroner)

Trading activities 31 -798 1,504 7,315 Shipping and air transport 1,184 4,525 7,210 8,165 Health Service 533 1,254 2,171 5,705 Church and Schools 729 1,406 1,892 3,8oo Radio and weather service 85 681 1,815 1,954 .Administration 331 1,128 1,715 3,427 Scientific research 215 748 1,887 2,633 Interest on special fund 26 295 1,204 2,4o4 ether exfenditures 214 507 870 1,801 3,348 9,746 20,268 37 ,20~·

.2everf:les:

Diviaend.s fr;:;:n the ""r~rol"',-·J J..'-'_,J 't.::. ''""cmpany ...... 3,484 6,063 4,683 4,759

Jther income from the Cryolite Company 2,108 748 2,737 5z49~ Het ex:pE=nditure -2,241+ 2,935 12,848 26,953 A/2653 English Denmark: Greenland Page 15

Metropolitan Government capital expenditures from 1946 to 1953 were: (Kr. 000) Dwelling-houses 21,622 Churches and schools 3,890 Hospitals, etc. 10,289 Contractors' yards, garages and workshops 2,232 Industrial plant 7,921 Fishery plant 2,089 Boat yards 2,633 Harbour plant 6,038 Roadbuilding 3,446 Tank plant , 3,680 Sewer, levelling and reclamation work 1,145 Shops, bakeries and warehouses 8,051 Waterworks 4,170 Vessels and boats 16,705 Discharging gear 3,013 Motor cars and other equipment 2,343 Power plants 6,493 Radio and weather services 31,391 Administration buildings 1,204 Sundry investments 3,354 141,709 Funds of the Greenland Treasu.1·y administered by the Greenland Council are derived mainly from euties imposed by a 1951 Act on certain goods, such as tobacco, alcoholjc beverages, chocolate and candy. Appropriations are made from the Greenland Treasury to the various Municipal Authorities by reslution of the Greenland Council. Budgets of the Greenland Treasury and the Municipal Treasuries for the fiscal year 1 October 1952 to 30 September 1953 are set forth below:

Budget of the Greenland Treasury

Kr. Kr.

Revenues:

Excise duties 3,000,000 Interest 138,880 Other income 2,000 3,140,880 A/2653 English Page 16 Denmark: Greenland

Budget of the Greenland Treasury' (cont.)

Kr. Kr.

Expenditures:

Administration expenses 110,000 Subsidies to Municipal treasuries 1,66o,ooo Subsidies to children's sanitaria and children's homes 44,ooo Subsidies to housebuilding, etc. 605,000 Set aside for supplementary appropriations 500,000 Other expenditUl·es 158,000 3,077,000 Surplus 63,880 Budget of the Municipal Treasuries

Revenues: Subsidies from the Greenland Treasury 1,66o,ooo Other revenues 13.000 Total: 1,673,000

Expenditures:

Administration expenses 194,ooo Social welfare expenditures 810,000 Fire brigades, scavenging, etc. 72,000 Public utilities 10,000 Maintenance and construction of roads and bridges 4o4,ooo Other expenditures 123,000 Total: 1,673,000 Banking and credit Greenland has its own notes and currency which are not legal tender in Denmark; although the unit of currency is the Danish kroner. Banking as such does not exist as the Government makes trading capital available through a number of loan schemes, which were reorganized as from A/2653 English Denmark: Greenland Page 17

1 July 1953 and are now administered by a Trades Subsidies Committee. Such loans are in excess of kr. 500, while smaller loans are left to the Munificpal Treasuries. The Greenland Trade Loan Fund, established in 1951, makes loans to firms operating in the export trade. Savings banks, established since 1870 in the settlements, do no loan business, but rather afford the population an opportunity of distributing their cash incomes earned during the summer season over the whole year. Statistics of savings bank deposits were: 193~/ 1946£/ 1953~:/ Number of accounts 2,200 3,400 5,000 7,000 Amounts on depcait (kroner)720,000 2,6oo,ooo 3,3oo,ooo 4,700,000

~/ as at 1 January, b/ as at 1 April.

International trade Principal imports 1949 .. 50 1951-52 1952-5~/ Kr.OOO Kr.OOO Kr.OOO

Groceries 5 J 742 . 8,893 9,227 Drapery goods 2,054 3,081 3,147 Fuel, etc. 1,559 3,266 3,053 Tobacco 1,276 3,032 3,076 Woodware 597 1,177 1,814 Hardware 1,559 3,266 3,053 ~/ From 1 April to 31 December 1952.

Pl·incipal exports Unit 1947-48 1949-50 1953 " Salted fish tons,, 6,208 5,257 5,883 Blubber 908 685 888 Cod liver and oil " 458 319 626 Shark liver " 583 458 388 Wolf fish skins each 66,871 144,011 891 Seal skins " 8,293 7,032· 31,188 Fox furs (blue and white) II 3,557 3,188 4,294 Canned shrimps tins (85 g.)73,711 37,669 660,693 Frozen shrimp bags ( 142 g.) - 19,372 II (72 g.) - 24,800 Sheep and lamb fleece each 1,487 4,888 15,732 A/2653 English . Page 18 Denmark: Greenland

SOCIAL CONDITIONS

· General The social problems affecting the relationship between Greenlanders and Danes have been chiefly with respect to the question of equality of treatment in legal and economic matters, Under the Constitutional Amendment of 5 June 1953, Greenlanders now have equal status with the rest of the populati.Gn of Denmark. In the economic field the wage policy aims at a situation in which wage earners in Green~and should as far as possible attain a standard of living equal to that of their counterparts in Denmark.

Human rights

The Greenland Administration has pursued a policy based on the principles of the Danish Constitution. There has been no expropriation of private property except for reasons of public policy, and then full compensation is allowed. As in Denmark, there is full freedom of worship, a free press, and freedom of association within the law. The Greenland Administration of Justice Act of 14 July 1951 provides that no search or seizure can be effected without the permission of the person concerned or without a Court order. Persons arrested shall be brought before a judge within 24 hours,

Status of women

Women enjoy the same legal status as men and receive equal wages for equal work.

Labour and employment

About half of the population, including dependent wives and children, are wage earners, most of whom are permanently employed by the Government, chiefly as skilled workers, clerks, teachers, midwives, and radio operators. In 1953, the annual earnings of a single Government employee ranged from about Kr •. 4,ooo to about Kr. B,ooo, the average annual earnings being Kr. 5... 6,ooo. Statistics of annual wages in the larger towns were: A/.:!.653 English Denmark: Greenland Page 19

April 1939 April 1949 April 1953 Kr. per year Kr. per year Kr. per year 1. Casual, unskilled labour (over 20 years of age): Paid by the hour 48o 1,370 3,480 Qn weekly wages 480 1,770 3,960

2. Government employees, 3rd wage-class, with dependents: Initial wages 2,163 5,295 Final wages 2,643 5,860 3. Personnel sent out from Denmark (civil servants), 11th wage-class, with dependents: Initial wages 3,335 7,238 9,890 Final wages 5,020 9,175 12,187 As from 1 April 1952, automatic wage adjustments came into force regulating the cost-of-living allowance twi.ce a year. The wages of casual i;mrkers were doubled by a Ministerial Order in 1950, effective up to 1 April 1954. Juveniles are not employed under the age of 14; nor are women and young men to be employed in heavy manual work. The average work day was 8-1/6 hours, ranging from 6 hours a day in vTinter to 9 hours a day in summer. Employers' and workers' organizations No employers' associations exist, the Government being virtually the sole employer. Labour organizations in the accepted sense of the word do nvt exist; but an association of Government employees has been formed and in several towns casual workers have formed organizations to protect their interests. These organizations have established contact with the Danish Trades Union Congress. Labour disputes

All labour disputes have been solved by l~cal negotiations obviating the necessity to lay down rules and regulations for settling them, ILO Conventions It is expected that the ILO Convention ratified by Denmark will be extended in the near future to Greenland. Their requirements have in practice been complied with, A/2653 English Page 20 Denmark: Greenland

Co-operative societies

The beginnings of a co-operative movement appear to be in the making in the southern part of the country where the sheep farmers wish to take over the State sheep-breeding stations on a co-operative basis, and in the fishing industry where fishing combines have been formed.

Standard of living

The prices of imported goods are fixed by the Royal Greenland Trade Department and are uniform throughout the country. Prices of locally produced comn~odities are generally fixed by the municipal authorities every six months and are not uniform. For the computation of a cost-of-living index for Greenlandic wage earners, an investigation of the consumption of permanent and casual employees was made for the first time in the autumn of 1951 in a number of towns in West Greenland, The resulting price index budget, in which the budget for the basic period 1950-51 has been brought up to date through the use of current prices, is given below. So far, no calculation has been made of the national income of Greenland. The principal items of the price index budget v1ere: 1950/51 April April January 1951 1952 1953 Kr. Kr. Kr. Kr. Foodstuffs 2,356 2,712 2,936 3,316 Clothing, footwear, washing and cleaning 1,273 1,367 1,396 1,535 Housing 342 346 351 395 Boat 50 59 59' 65 Fuel and light 451 546 624 628 Transportation 33 36 37 38 Subscriptions 8 8 8 8 Spirits, tobacco and meals outside the home 521 873 996 996 Expenses for hygienic and cultural purposes 341 402 422 442 Purchases for the home and maintenance 470 516 546 589 Gear for shooting, hunting and fishery 145 161 161 209 Sundries 247 314 325 ;68 Total expenses 6,237 7,340 7,861 ..1 A/2653 English Denmark: Greenland Page 21

The retail price index (April 1950 = 100) was:

April 192.9. April 19,2g Jan. 1953

100 126 138

Town and rural planning and housing

The population has hitherto lived under rather primitive conditions. As a rule they have built their own houses, financed in part by small Government loans, free of interest. In 1952, the Greenland Council replaced this system by the adoption of regulations under which Municipal Councils could grant loans up to Kr. 10,000 per house. Loans granted in that year were Kr. 1.5 million. In 1953, these provisional regulations were superseded by a more permanent housing loan and subsidy scheme financed by the State, under which loans bearing 4 per cent per annum may be granted for the full cost of building or buying dwelling house-s, to be re-paid over a 33-year period. These loans have amounted annually to Kr. 6 million and have resulted in extensive house building of improved quality.

Social security and welfare

Social welfare budgets were:

1939/40 1946/47 1949/50 1952/53 Kr. Kr. Kr. Kr.

Support 12,927 11,592 21,017 158,8oo Invalidity pensions 13,470 18,819 34,109 57,950 Old-age pensions 60,714 84,461 199,255 492,175 Poor relief 2,698 1,928 2,522 9,900 Maintenance to children, etc, 91,040

Total 116,800

Public funds provide support for needy widows, unmarriP1 women, orphans and the sick, the blind, deaf and dumb persons, and others who because of physical or mental defects cannot work. Other persons in distress and without support also receive poor relief. Every Greenlan.der on the c•:r.1pletion of his A/2653 English Page 22 Denmark: Greenland

55th year and unable to provide for himself and his family is entitled to old-age pension not exceeding Kr. 900 for a married couple and Kr. 600 for a single person. As from l October 1951, the Greenland Council, with the approval of the Prime Minister's Department, promulgated regulations for public relief, child welfare, maintenance of children, and old age pensions, taking over the social welfare and relief work previously administered jointly by the local and district councils and the State.

Prevention of crime and treatment of offenders

Crime statistics were:

1939 1948 l952a/ Offences against persons ll 81 Offences against morality and decency l 23 Cruelty to animals 5 5 Breach of private peace and libels 2 16 Offences against property 74 106 Other offences ll 35 Total 104 26b

~/ Comprises 13 months (1 December 1951-)1. December 1952).

Treatment of offenders A criminal code for Greenland, to apply to both Greenlanders and Danes, was drafted in 195lo 'I'he draft was, to all intents and purposes, a codification of existing a-~eenland common law. It has been a fundamental principle in the treatment of criminal offenders in Greenland that they are not excluded from participating in the general life of the community. Hence the problem of rehabilitating criminals does not arise. Under the draft criminal code, the most important measures that may be applied are admonition, fines, confinement ' to a specified area or prohibition against entering specified areas, c9mpulsory labour, medical cure or treatment in an institution, internment or other restrictions on liberty of actione A/2653 E~glish Denmark: Greenland Page 23

Public health

Expenditure 1951 1952 1953 Kr. Kr. Kr.

Recurrent 5,704,889 6,310,769 6,320,000 Capital 1,147,628 2,077,000 1,902,000 While the·cost of actual medical treatment of the sick is met by the Government, the municipalities, under new regulations, now provide for support or specific treatment and domestic help. Under the tuberculosis campaign, subsidies may be granted towards the acquisition of a more healthy home, beds, bedding and utensil£. The Society in Aid of Greenland Children operates three children's sanatoria and one more is under construction. The expenses of the Society, which amounted to Kr. 224,000 in 1952, were subsidized by Government to the amount of Kr. 44,ooo and Kr. 32,000 by the Greenland Council, the rest being raised by subscriptions and voluntary contributions.

Medical and health staff

1947 1949 1952a/

Medical officers 16b/ 17c/ 2~/ Dentists 2 / Trained nurses 23£ 3~c/ 3~1 Midwives trained in Denmark 15 13 9 Midwives trained in Greenland 99 ·100 85 Total midwives 114 113 94

An x-ray technician was also employed. ~~ Including 2 physicians and 4 nurses employed in special institutionso -; II 2 II II 6 II " II II II ~~ II 5 II rr 8 It II II II II Institutions 1950 1951 1952 No. Beds No. Beds No. Beds

Medical stations Government 17 344 17 4o6 13 411 Private 2 ) 2 ) 98 98 Children's sanatoria 3 ) 3 ) 3 150 Medical depots 114 120 100 A/2653 English Page 24 Denmark: Greenland

In addition to the hospitals there are in some large districts Trained Nurse Posts, 3 of which have small infirmaries of 6 beds each. Pulmonary tuberculosis is the most serious disease, affecting between 6 and 7 per cent of the population. Since 1951, a number of patients have been sent to Denmark for treatment as the Greenland hospitals cannot accommodate more than the 350 tuberculosis patients that are admitted annually. Construction of a new tuberculosis sanatorium to accommodate 200 patients was begun in 1953· Vital statistics 1950 1951 1952 Total births 1,137 984 1,033 Infant mortality per 1,ooo births 161 137 Total deaths 575 530 510 Death rate per 1,oco population 25.5 25.4 21.8

EDUCATIONAL CONDITIONS

General

As a result of the scattered nature of the more than 180 settlements along the entire coastline, forty per cent of which have less than ten children· of school age and only ten per cent having more than fifty, the scope and quality of education is not uniform. However, schooling is free and attendance ccmpulsory for children in general from 7 to 14 years of age and there is no illiteracy. Denmark has considered it one of her most important objects to impart such cultural and technical knowledge to the population as will enable it to participate to an increasing extent in the economic and technical development of Greenland. To achieve this object, knowledge of a language of sufficient range is necessary, and bilingual education in Danish and Greenlandic is being given in the larger schools. Teaching in the Danish language may not, however, supersede those subjects taught in the Greenlandic language. In accordance

Tt~ith the Act of 27 May 1950 on school in Greenland, dual language schools A/2653 English Denmark: Greenland Page 25

may be established in places where conditions so warrant. Four such schools have been established since 1952. A committee has been appointed comprising representatives of the Danish Ministry of Education and the Prime Minister's Department in order to ensure conformity of the Greenland school service with schools in Denmark. Within Greenland, the schools are under the control of a School Board consisting of the Governor of Greenland, the Dean of Greenland and a Director of Schools appointed by the Crovm. In each municipal district a school committee is appointed consisting of the chairman of the Municipal Council, one member nominated by the Municipal Council, the local inspector of schools and the local clergyman. To represent the parents' interests, the ,;:.. ents of the children attending each school elect a representative who is entitled to approach the School Board and v7ho may be authorized to attend meetings of the school committee. Expenditure In 1952, operational costs totalled 5,392,000 kroner and capital expenditures were l,074,ooo kroner. This compares with 773,000 kroner in 1939-40, and 2,124,000 kroner in 1949-50. It is calculated that, allowing for the increase in population and the rise in prices, operational costs have increased from an index figure of 100 in 1939-40 to 189 in 1952-53· Capital expenditure increased from 105,000 kroner in 1939-40 to 1,074,000 kroner in 1952-53, a corrected index figure increase of from 100 in 1939-40 to 276 in 1952-53. Schools During 1952, 120 school premises having 175 classrooms and an additional 4o teachers' homes were in use. The number of schoolrooms has increased by about 70 per cent over that of 1939. Almost one-third of all school premises have been built within the last six years. Schools are organized into (a) 7-year elementary schools (7-14 years) at all settlements, with bilingual schools at the larger settlements; (b) 2-year post-primary schools (14-16 years); (c) one 4-year high school (16-20 years); and (d) one seminary (20-22 years)& There are also four A/2653 English Page 26 Denmark: Greenland technical schools and one evening school for vocational training in clerical and commercial subjects. Higher education is made available in Denmark.

The first bilingual school was established at the beginning of the ~952 ' school year, and there are four such schools at four settlements. Instruction concerning the United Nations is part of the general courses. Teachers 1951 1952 1953 (per cent) (per cent) (per cent) Seminary trained 44 46 51 Catechists 33 31 26 Without special training 23 23 23 In 1953 there were 275 teachers in comparison with 188 before the War.

Pupils At the end of the 1952-53 school year there were 4,4oo children of school age as compared with 3,4oo before the Second World War. About 90 per cent of the children in school are taught the Danish language.

Adult education

General educational work among adults is carried out under the auspices of the Greenland Cultural Board, and local cultural committees have been appointed at all important settlements. Evening school courses are free of charge and subjects taught include Danish, Greenlandic, English, hygiene, history, drawing, needlework, typewriting and housebuilding. In 1952, 1,000 students attended evening courses as compared with 600 in 1951. Study-circle work has also met with great interest, particularly among young people. A book on the objectives and activities of the United Nations has been published by the Danish Government in both Danish and Greenlandic and will be used, inter alia, as a basis for study-circle work, About 250 Greenlanders undertake advanced training annually in Denmark in handicraft, teaching, nursing, domestic science, commercial and other fields. The ultimate aim, however, is to train craftsmen in Greenland and this is being pursued as a result of an increasing number of Danish-trained craftsmen being sent to Greenlande A/2653 English Denmark: Greenland Page 27

Cultural institutions

Greenland has four central, one branch, and one technical library. They distribute small collections of books among the surrounding settlements. In 1952 and 1953, two travelling exhibitions of old and modern pictorial art, made available by UNESCO, were shown in a number of towns along the west coast. Two newspapers receiving Government support are published fortnightly. One privately-owned newspaper is published weekly and private mimeographed weeklies are also published. in the towns. The Cultural·Board·provide~ support for many of these local papers. The Society for Public Education in Greenland publishes fiction and technical books in the Greenlandic language; the Prime Minister's Department publishes certain Greenland language text books; and a private Danish society has issued a number of pamphlets for study-circle work. There ~re 18 cinemas in operatj.on, and travelling shows are given on board two ships. The Godthab radio station is supplemented by occasional news broadcasts from relay and experimental stations in the Territory. The number of privately-owned radio sets is between 1,600 and 1,700.

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