24 A. LIVERSIDGE. 



probably now out of the question. I had no intention of taking 

 up the question of the decimal coinage, but having drifted into it 

 I may, perhaps, let my remarks stand. 



A recent report of the Decimal Association states that instruc- 

 tion in the principles of the metric system, and the advantages 

 to be gained from it, has now been made compulsory in the upper 

 standards of the English Elementary Schools ; also, that negotia- 

 tions are in progress for holding a conference in Paris of official 

 delegates and others, from Great Britain, the United States, and 

 Russia, to urge the adoption of the metric system of weights and 

 measures in those countries. Active steps are also being taken 

 in the United States, and a bill, now before Congress for the 

 introduction of the metric system, has been favourably reported 

 upon. The Government of Canada is said to be also seriously 

 considering the advisability of adopting it. In Russia and 

 Denmark there is an increasing disposition on the part of the 

 Governments to render its use compulsory. Another report is 

 from the Foreign Office ; this was issued in July last, and contains 

 the replies of Her late Majesty's representatives in Europe to a 

 circular addressed to them by the Marquis of Salisbury, asking 

 for information as to the actual experience of nations which had 

 adopted the metric system. 



The replies which came from over forty countries showed that 

 the changes had, in all cases, been made without difficulty, and 

 that there had never been any wish to return to the former system ; 

 also, that the adoption of the metric system had led to an increase 

 of trade. The teaching of the metric system in schools is naturally 

 made compulsory in all the countries using it. It is not because 

 the English and American nations are less enlightened than some 

 of the smaller countries of the world, and that they fail to appre- 

 ciate the advantages of the metric system, but that they naturally 

 count the cost before taking so serious a step. 



The English system of measurements for marine engines, bolts, 

 screws, pipes, etc., prevailed until recently all over the world, 

 except in France, but as other countries are gradually adopting 



