UNIVERSAL TIME STANDARDS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVI, Issue 22, 2 June 1906, Page 15

UNIVERSAL TIME STANDARDS.

The proposition to make Greenwich time the legal standard in France lias, according to •"Nature.” been revived this winter. No statement is made alout the chance that it will receive legislative sanction, hut at least two pretexts for pursuing an independent course have been removed since the question was last seriously discussed by French statesmen an<l scientists. Spain, after long delay, fell into line only a few years ago, though the difference in time between Madrid and Ixmdon is greater than that between Paris and London. Practically the whole of Europe now. except France and Russia, have officially sanctioned the related projects of having time belts exactly an hour apart; and making Greenwich the starting ]M?int to which they should all refer. America, it is haidly necessary to add. adopted the plan twenty year- or more ago. Another obstacle in the way of cooperation was a singular between British and French astronomers regarding tire difference in longitude between Paris and Gyeenwiuh., Time changes four minutes for every degree as one goes eastward or wesAtard, and though the computation* of the experts

were only a few M*c«>nds apart, it was accessary to eliminate the discrepancy entirely before it would be feasible to say just how far hack Frenc h clocks should lie set when tin new programme took effect. Within the last three or four years an international commission has made a fresh determination of the positions of the two cities, or. rather, of particular landmarks in them. On that point a harmonious conclusion was reached a few months ago. It is conceded on both sides of the English Channel that if France alters her standard at all it should be to the extent of 9 minutes and 21 second*. Popular prejud'ce against English ideas and institutions may account in *on:e measure for the hesitation of the French people to accept a plan that has been approved by nearly all the other civilised nations of the world. However, if such a sentiment has exerted any in fluence in the past, it would appear to be less potent to-day than it was ten or twenty years ago. Now that the last important technical objection to taking the step has disappeared, therefore, it would not l*e surprising if France should formally commit herself to the project when it i< next presented to her Senate and Chamber of Deputies. > ♦ >