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regarded as a world. agreement, both as regards the parties
between whom it exists, and as regards the scope of its operation.
[ts aims and object are to secure the co-operation of all parties
concerned, for the purpose of the more economical utilisation
of their combined manufacturing facilities in the manufacture
of lamps, establishment and maintenance of a standard quality,
increased economic efficiency in the distribution of output,
greater technical efficiency of electric lighting, and furthering
the use of electric light to the benefit of the consumer.
With this object in view an unlimited mutual exchange of
inventions and experience has been agreed upon. By this
means each of the members concerned, has the advantage of
the use of the inventions and experience of all the others. On
the other hand, the party who produces an invention or improve-
ment receives due recompense. Each member has the right
to inspect the factories of the others, to observe all improve-
ments, and to adopt such improvements as may be practicable.
Definite and exact rules have been formulated for the regulation
of this exchange, and an arbitration committee has been set
up to deal with cases in which the parties concerned are unable
to agree upon the amount of compensation.
A second means to the same end is the dividing up of the
business of the world. For this purpose the proportion of the
total to be allotted to each member is decided on the basis
of actual turnover during one particular year. This turnover
and the proportionate share in the total increase in the volume
of world trade is then secured to the member. The further
development of business in special industrial areas is provided
for, by the formation, of special quotas within the limits of
the world quota, certain manufacturing or consuming coun-
tries or groups of countries, being dealt with specially in order
to promote business in such areas.
The idea of a common sales’ organisation was vetoed, as
it was held that the objects of the agreement could be attained
without this, and that it was not desirable to restrict the in-
dividual member in his business methods more than was ab-
solutely necessary. The agreement is however sufficiently
flexible to enable a joint sales’ organisation to be set up in in-
dividual areas where this step is necessary.
The fixing of prices is neither a condition, nor an integral
part of the agreement. This is left to organisations established
for the separate countries.
Special importance is attached to providing consumers
throughout the world with the best possible light at the cheapest
possible prices. With this object in view, efforts are being