286 LIFE AND EXPERIENCES CHAP. 



ancient methods. Even in Turkey and the French 

 possessions in Northern Africa, the change had been 

 made, much to the contentment of the natives, who, in 

 a short time, used the metrical nomenclature with ease. 

 One witness remarked that the system is so simple 

 that a child can understand it, and what the negroes 

 and Arabs in Tunis can easily learn, the British public 

 should be able to comprehend. The Committee 

 recommended (i) that the metrical system of weights 

 and measures be at once legalised for all purposes ; 

 (2) that after a lapse of two years the metrical system 

 be rendered compulsory by Act of Parliament ; (3) that 

 the metrical system of weights and measures be 

 taught in all public elementary schools as a necessary 

 and integral part of arithmetic, and that decimals be 

 introduced at an earlier period of the school curriculum 

 than is the case at present. 



The publication of the Report created much 

 interest, and, in consequence of the recommendations 

 contained in it, Mr. Balfour next session brought in a 

 Bill for legalising the use of the metrical system 

 throughout the country for all purposes. Half a loaf 

 is better than no bread, and if this Bill had passed it 

 would have been a step in the right direction. But 

 the House of Commons seemed incapable at that time 

 of passing any measure, however useful, which did not 

 influence party spirit. I cannot, however, doubt that 

 before many years are over the pressure of public 

 opinion, and the fact that all other civilised countries 

 have adopted the metrical system, will force even a 

 supine Government to effect this absolutely necessary 

 reform in our system. 



Considerable progress has now been made in the 

 popularisation of the metrical system of weights and 

 measures, and this has been mainly brought about 



