2. The second group of subjects entering the province of the Reich’s authority consisted of matters on which the Constitution gave to the Reich the right to legislate _by priority_, without thereby excluding the legislative authorities of the various states, so that there could exist _concurrent legislation_ in the Reich and in the States, the states retaining the right to legislate as long as the Reich does not use its own right to legislate on these matters. This group is defined in the Constitution by Articles 7, 8 and 9. Article 7 sums up briefly, as did Article 4 of the old Constitution, the province of concurrent legislation, but adds considerably to the enumeration strengthening here the unity of the Reich and adding to the subjects which enter into the concurrent legislative competence of the Reich all such important matters as assistance and care to be given to mothers, infants, children and youths; also questions relating to professional representation, to the socialization of natural wealth, to economic enterprises as well as the organization of collective enterprises. To this, strengthening still further the competence of the Reich, Article 12, Section 2, adds that the government of the Reich has the right to veto laws passed by the states dealing with socialization, if these laws touch the well-being of the whole population of the Reich. Article 8 introduces in the Constitution, in spite of the violent opposition of the states, the principle of financial sovereignty of the Reich and fiscal centralization therein. This article gives to the Reich the right to take possession of all sources of revenue, stipulating, however, that it must leave to the states resources sufficient for their existence. This provision constitutes an important advance along the road to the unity of the Reich and strengthens considerably the financial competence of the Reich compared to its former situation. Article 9 also deals with the concurrent authority of the Reich in matters concerning the public weal and the protection of order and public security; but under this head there is the limitation, “to the extent that it shall become necessary to pass uniform legislation.” This limitation, however, is of no particular importance, for as with the matters dealt with in Article 7 the Reich does not make use of its right of legislation except as it feels the need for it. The restriction provided by Article 9 is explained by the fact that the authority of the Reich in these matters naturally met resistance on the part of the states and that a compromise had to be effected; they came to the agreement that the Reich would not take up these questions in advance and in the first instance.