the evening classes of the Society for the Advancement of Commercial Knowledge in
Qothenburg, the Practical Schools in Karlshoga and Kristinehamn, the Norrkoping
Higher Commercial Institute (Gustaf Smedman), and Krok’s Commercial Institute in
Halsinghorg All these institutions receive grants from their respective municipalities.
Proprietory schools for teaching' writing and commercial subjects — sometimes
with very pretentious names —■ are, moreover, to be met with in all the large
towns and in many smaller ones. As a rule they receive pupils without regard
to their grounding, and allow them full freedom in their choice, of subjects for
study. However, some of the larger and better schools" have methodically
arranged courses for a year, a term, or a shorter period, which aim at imparting
suitable instruction, adjusted to the point of view and the aims of the pupils,
in the more important commercial subjects, at times including languages,
commercial law, economics, etc. Such are Pdhlman Brothers’ Commercial Institute
in Stockholm, Filip Holmqvist’s and the Gothenburg Private Commercial In-
iStitute (Benno Rosenbund) in Gothenburg, and Bendtz Brothers’ Language and
Commercial Institute in Halmo. The lack of control over the private commercial
schools, in Sweden as in many other countries, has in a number! of cases
caused certain drawbacks. Yet an undoubted tendency towards improvement
has shown itself in recent years.
C. The High School o f Commerce in Sto ckho lm was founded on the
initiative of bank-direetor K. A. Wallenberg of that city, now Minister
for Foreign Affairs. In 1903 he donated a sum of 100 000 kronor to start
a fund for a commercial and economic university college, and in 1906 set
afoot the establishment of the High School of Commerce Association,
whose object was to set up and develop a Swedish university college 'of
commerce. Thanks to the magnanimous generosity of bankers, commercial
companies, and private merchants, and to the decision of the Town Council
of Stockholm in 1907, to appropriate for the purpose the sum of 475 000
kronor from the Forsgrén Fund in Stockholm, the Association was
able to proceed to carry the scheme into effect in 1909. In this
manner the High School of Commerce could enter upon its work on October
1st, 1909. A t the suggestion of the Government, the Riksdag voted; a
grant of 30 000 kronor towards the working expenses of the High School,
a grant that has been renewed in subsequent years. The expenses of the
High School during the academic year 1913/14 rose to about 133000
kronor. i .)(„ j pM
At present there are professors in Economics (with Statistics), Science of Commerce,
Economic Geography (with the science of raw products), Jurisprudence,
and Political Science (with the history of economics). Five lectors in modem
languages, mostly natives, give instruction in German, English, French, Russian,
and Spanish. T-here are also docents and assistant masters. Next to the lectures,
the practical classes and courses play an important part. After two years’
study, the pupils are held to be sufficiently prepared to enter for the so-called
“examination in economics”, which comprises the compulsory subjects Economics,
Commercial Science, Economic Geography or Jurisprudence, and one language,
and the optional ones, i. e. any other subject taught at the High School. There
is a special examination for those who intend to be teachers of commercial subjects.
The fee is 250 kronor a year, to which must be added the entrance
and examination fees.
Thanks to generous donations, the High School is able every year to let a considerable
number of its examined students complete their education by a stay abroad.
Journeys about Sweden, intended to give an insight into the economic life of
the country, are undertaken annually under the guidance of the teaching staff; a
certain proportion of the students take advantage of these opportunities.
The High School contains a collection of business records, a well equipped
geographical institution, and a technical library of some 11 500 vols.
From the first, the High School has had a much larger attendance than
was anticipated. According to the Calendar, there were 180 students during
the Autumn Term of 1914. The majority of these had passed the
“ Student”-Examination, but entrance can also be obtained by certificates
from the higher commercial institutes and technical schools, while at the
option of the Teachers’ Council, other applicants with satisfactory qualifications
may be admitted to the courses. Some of the lectures are also
attended by external students. The High School also arranges for popular
lectures on scientific subjects, intended for the general public, which deal
with various themes of immediate interest in the sphere of economics.
A scheme is being prepared at Gothenburg for academic courses similar
to the above; sufficient donations having been received, the courses will
begin in 1915.
Commercial Legislation.
^IThe regulations in force concerning the carrying on of trade are to be found
in the Royal Ordinance of June 18, 186-i. Anyone and everyone has unconditional
liberty of carrying round for sale necessaries of life, agricultural and farm
produce, and the productions of Swedish domestic industry. Anyone who has
announced his intention of carrying on any manufacturing or handicraft trade,
has likewise a right himself to carry round for sale, or have carried round by
his wife or by any of his children living at home, the articles of his own
manufacture or production, it being, however, necessary for the person so engaged
to have with him or her a certificate as to his or her identity as well as
a certificate, issued by the proper authority, concerning the character of the
trade pursued by the person for whose benefit the goods are offered for sale.
Furthermore there is full liberty with regard to trade at fairs.
In other respects a Swedish man or woman only enjoys the right to carry
on trade, to export to and to import from foreign parts, and to transport goods
from one place to another within the country, subject to the conditions and
restrictions mentioned below.
The right to carry on wholesale trade, or to sell goods in a shop or from
other place of storage, accrues to anyone provided he or she be of good repute,
be of age and in unrestricted possession of his or her property and have besides
lodged an application in writing for the right to do so at the offices of the
Governor of the Lan (in rural districts) or the Magistracy (in towns). Certificates
with regard to the conditions named having been complied with must
accompany the application. If an application is made for a firm in accordance
with the regulations prescribed, such application is considered to fulfil the requirements
also of the Ordinance respecting the Liberty of Trade. The stipulation
with regard to being of age and in unrestricted possession of one’s property is
dispensed with in the following cases: a married woman living with her husband,