Trade Organization in Germany

The LUbeck chamber of commerce consists of 21 members who are elected by the "Kaufmannschaft von Lubeck"; it was estab lished in 1867 and its composition and functions regulated afresh by the Merchants Ordinance of 1898. The Lubeck "Kaufmann schaft" is one of the oldest merchant bodies in Germany. Its duties were practically the same as those of the other Hansa chambers of commerce. The chamber carries on its duties in close touch with the senate through various committees consisting of members of the senate and of the chamber, in respect of all questions of trade and shipping. The retail trade is also officially represented in LUbeck by a "Detaillistenkammer." German Chambers of Commerce Abroad.—Especially in the decade 1919-29, German chambers of commerce abroad have been greatly extended. Although they are unofficial associa tions, they are generally officially recognized. At the present time (1928) there are about 26 German chambers or mixed cham bers consisting of an equal number of German and foreign mem bers. Among these may be specially mentioned those for Switzer land, Spain and Italy and that in Vienna; there are several German chambers of commerce in China and Japan (Shanghai, Tientsin, Canton, Mukden, Tokio, etc.) and in South America (Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina).

Voluntary Associations.

A great development has taken place since the war in regard to such associations, both industry and commerce forming numerous societies and unions for the furtherance of their interests. The chief organization for the whole of German industry is the Federation of German Industries ("Reichsverband der Deutschen Industrie"), which was estab lished in Feb. 1919, and embraces all branches of German industry. It is divided into numerous branch groups, each of which is com posed of numerous special or technical associations. Either indi vidual firms or associations may be members of the federation. Wholesale trade and retail trade are united in a central associa tion, the Central Association of German Wholesale and Retail Trade ("Zentral Verband des Deutschen Gross- and Einzelhan dels") with local branch associations all over Germany.

The "Aussenhandelsverband" must also be mentioned as the association for export trade and export industry.

German Government and State Authorities and Trade Organisation.—The Ministry for Economic Affairs (Reichswirt schaftministerium) is the competent body for dealing with com mercial and industrial questions affecting the whole country. Questions of foreign trade, especially commercial treaty negotia tions, and consular affairs, are dealt with by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Reichsministerium des Aeussern) in conjunction with the Ministry for Economic Affairs.

An advisory body also exists, in virtue of Art. 165 of the Ger man constitution, in the economic council of the Reich (Reichs wirtschaftsrat). It consists of 326 members, but under a bill to regulate its composition it is proposed (1928) to reduce the membership to about 140 to 17o. It is divided into II committees, the most important being the political-economic committee, the social-economic committee and the financial committee. It ap proves all important bills on economic and social questions, and the Government is bound to submit such bills to the council before they are laid before the Reichstag. The council may also make proposals on its own initiative.

In addition each State has a Board of Trade ("Handels-minis terium") for matters affecting trade, industry and production and, like the Government of the Reich, they have a State economic council as an advisory economic body.

Consular and Foreign Trade Service.

All German lega tions, embassies, consulates-general and the more important con sulates have commercial departments attached to them for the promotion and assistance of trade and industry. A central in formation bureau has been set up, to give information to German trade and industry on general economic conditions abroad, on customs and transport questions, import conditions and other subjects. This bureau has branches all over Germany, notably in the more important chambers of commerce.