THE METRIC SYSTEM.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11988, 15 September 1904, Page 10

THE METRIC SYSTEM.

(STZCIM, TO THB "PBEeS.")

DUXEDiy, September l< The metric system. wa# discussed at a meeting of the Otago Institute. Or* speaker touched upon tho simplification of our initial arithmetic from the schoolboy's point of view, and urged the general desirableness of having scientific co-ordina-tion between our standards of weight, capacity, etc. He thought it waa only the extraordinary conservatism of the English people that "had prevented them from having a scientific system before now.

Dr. Behham questioned whether the advantages resultant from the introduction of such a system would outweigh the disadvantages, though he fullr recognised the usefulness of having co-ordination between the various standards. Iα America they seemed to : have, been content to decimalise only coinage, and there they managed very well. The cost of altering the existing measurements,'in regard to time, distance, etc., would bo enormous, and machinery too would have to be altered at great cost and considerable inconvenience.

Mr Justice Chapman thought the new system should be brought in gradually. Children should be taught in schools not only the necessary arithmetic, but also the meaning of. things they learned before the system was brought into business.