163
herring boats, which may carry foreign crews without having pre-
viously applied for permission.
Under special circumstances the Minister of Industrial Affairs may
grant exceptions, as e. g. if labour is scarce, or if it is found im-
possible to start a business or run it without engaging foreign workers.
Any foreigners who have come to Iceland for the purpose of seeking
work or have already obtained some employment there in violation
of the law of the land, may be expelled from the country (Act No. 13,
May 31st, 1927).
2. Foreign employers. The general rule is that foreigners and Ice-
landers are on an equal footing as regards the right to follow a trade
or other pursuit in Iceland; but in a number of cases this right is,
however, made conditional on domiciliation in the country. Thus a
foreigner living in Iceland has the same right to follow a certain trade
or pursuit as an Icelandic subject there residing, while a native Ice-
lander does not enjoy this privilege, if he lives abroad. In order to
engage in commerce in Iceland (whether wholesale, retail or commis-
sion business) a trading licence is required, the granting of which is,
among other things, made conditional on the applicant's having resided
one year in the country and being still permanently residing there
when the application is made (Law No. 52, June 27th, 1925). The
same rule applies to those who wish to carry on industrial activities
'n Iceland (Law No. 18, May 31st, 1927). Commercial travellers and
commission agents, non-resident in Iceland, may carry on their busi-
ness in the country, provided they take out a licence; but such a li-
cence is limited to not more than one year at a time (Law No. 78, Nov.
22nd, 1907). As regards industrial activities, it should be mentioned,
that special rules apply in cases where water power is to be used as
molive force. To harness a waterfall of more than 500 natural H.P.
a special permission is required (Law No. 15, June 20th, 1923), In
granting such a permission, different rules are followed according as
lhe applicant is a native or a foreigner, but in this connexion all Ice-
andic subjects residing in Iceland are deemed native Icelanders, where-
as Icelandic subjects living abroad and foreign subjects domiciled in
[celand are looked upon as foreigners. Foreigners can therefore only
obtain this permission with the sanction of Althingi, while the Minister
concerned may grant it to Icelanders without previously having sub-
mitted the question to the legislature, provided the waterfall to be
harnessed is not more than 25 000 H.P. (Law No. 46, June 27th, 1925).
Foreigners and Icelanders are on an equal footing as regards the
