Converting Currency—And People

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31364, 9 May 1967, Page 16

Converting Currency— And People

Two years before Australia adopted decimal currency, only 42 per cent of Australians favoured changing to metric weights and measures. Today, 15 months after the introduction of decimal currency, 64 per cent of Australians want to do away with tons and yards, according to a recent public opinion poll. This significant change in public opinion in three years is almost certainly attributable to the favourable reception of decimal currency by the Australian public. A Select Committee of the Australian Senate, which is inquiring into the possible introduction of the metric system of weights and measures, must give some weight to this growing preference of the public for decimals.

Public approval of such a change is, however, only one of many considerations. Technical matters cannot be overlooked. The costs of a change to metric weights and measures would be much greater than the costs involved in changing to decimal currency. Every manufacturer would have to tool up anew to cope with nuts and bolts with metric thread, to pack his products in litre or kilogram sizes, and so on. The long-term advantages are considerable; the short-term costs are immense. In the United States the use of the metric system was legalised by Congress in 1866; but the Americans remain wedded to pounds and inches —more so, perhaps, than the British. Manufacturers and other businessmen will, no doubt, tell the Australian Select Committee that the adoption of decimal weights and measures is desirable but impractical; and, so long as North America resists the change, this is a powerful argument. Countries as small as Australia and New Zealand cannot afford to “go it alone Elderly Australians, many of whom found the change to decimal currency confusing, would be glad of an assurance that no early change to decimal weights and measures was contemplated. Any elderly New Zealanders who do not relish the prospect of handling decimal currency here after July 10 can also find comfort in the survey of Australian public opinion: many more Australians are convinced of the merits of decimal systems after a comparatively brief experience with decimal currency.