522 CONFEKEXC]', OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIIITJES. 



of the objects of that Association were (a) to promote the inter- 

 course of Societies and individuals interested in Science in (hf- 

 ferent parts of South Africa, and (b) to brino^ al)(mt the removal 

 of any disadvantages of a ])ublic kind which might impede the 

 progress of that country. The ])resent war had brought before 

 us many new problems, and had also taught us to ado])t a less 

 conservative spirit. The time, therefore, seemed opportune to 

 endeavour to bring about certain changes with reference to our 

 systems of Weights and Measures and Coinage, and also to the 

 use of Daylight, which would most inevitably lead to .ureater 

 progress. He asked Mr. \V. Ingham, Past ['resident South 

 African Institution of Engineers, to move Resolution i : 



Tliat the Metric System ul WuMghts and Measures be legalised al as 

 early a date as possible for permissive use until the end of the war, and 

 that its use l)ecome compulsory and exclusive after such time as may be 

 found practicable. 



After reviewing the history of the ])resent British system 

 of Weights and Measures and of the Metric System, and sho\\- 

 ing how greatly the Metric System is superior to the British 

 system with reference to the greater facility and simplicity with 

 which all calculations may be made, \[r. Ingham i)ointed oni 

 that the Metric System had already been a(lo])te(l (up to h;i3> 

 by the following countries, having a total ])opulation of 477 

 millions: Argentine Republic, Au.stria, Belgium, Belgian Congo. 

 Brazil, Bulgaria, Chili, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark. 

 Finland, b ranee, France (Colonies), Cermany. (ierman\- 

 (Colonies), (Guatemala, Holland, Holland (Colonies), Konduras. 

 Hungar}'. Italy. Italy (Colonies), Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritius. 

 Mexico, Nicaragua, Norwa}'. Pern, I'hilippines, Porto Rico. 

 Portugal, PortUiial (Colonies), Roiunania, Salvador, .Servia, Se\- 

 chelles, Siam, Spain, Sweden. Switzerland, Crugua}-, \'enezuela. 



British Consuls in foreign covmtries frequently complain that 

 foreign trade orders are continua.ll\- lacing lost by British manu- 

 facturers because the\' per-^ist in sending oui citalogues and 

 quotations based upon the Imperial system of weights, measures 

 and coinage. The British Select Committee on Weights and 

 Measures, which reported in Jul\-. i8<j3, after taking evidence 

 from witnesses representing many dilTerent interests — official, 

 commercial, manufacturing, educational and professional — 

 decided that the ])resent British system was unsatisfactory and 

 a drawback to commerce. It was stated that one year's school 

 time was lost in teaching otu" ])reseni system, and would be 

 saved by adoi)ting the Metric .System. The Committee recom- 

 mended that the Metric System should be adoi)te(l in Cireat 

 Britain, and was of the opinion th.at the change could be made 

 withoiu serious < >])]),)siii()n or inconvenience. 



The South \!'rican .\ational A.dxisory P)oar(l for Technical 

 Education, at its sixth meeting at Cajjc Town on March isi. 

 it;r6, came to the opinion that — 



( 1 ) The necessity for school inslructinn in the use of a non- 

 liecimal s\Nteni of money, weights and nu'asin-es has resulted in- 



