back to menuNfCG’s survey of Members’ Views on the change to metric weights and measures shows that two-thirds of the respondents agree, or agree strongly, that NfCG should press for Britain to complete the changeover to metric weights and measures as soon as possible. Including ‘neutrals’ that rises to three-quarters in favour, or prepared to go along with it. By contrast just under one-quarter disagree, or disagree strongly with going metric.
The reason for changing to the metric system was, and is, that counting and measuring and calculating should be quick and easy Surely there should be hardly anyone against that? Why isn’t metric as popular as originally expected?
Two Select Committees (in 1862 and 1895) and the Hodgson Committee in 1950 looked into the pros and cons - and said unanimously that Britain should go metric. They received "resolutions from numerous corporations, school boards, and other public bodies, without exception in favour of the adoption of the metric system".
Some extracts from the Reports:- "Every nation which has adopted the Metric System has derived the greatest benefit from it" "It was stated that no less than one year’s school time would be saved if the metric system were taught in place of imperial" "Small traders in France [in 1862] get on remarkably well with the metric system, owing to its simplicity"
How could all these people have got it so wrong? Germany, for example, managed the changeover to metric in only four years in the period 1868- 1872. Why hasn’t Britain been able to do it in over 30 years?
There is one difference. Britain uses metric units in a different way from the proven user-friendly way people use metric units on the Continent. NfCG’s Report "Metrication in DIY stores - is it user-friendly?" showed that the British way of using metric units is overwhelmingly unpopular - for example, using 1700 mm for the length of a bath instead of 1.70m. Surely that points to a very simple way to get Britain happily metric? Make our metrication user-friendly too!
In our survey of Members’ Views, we asked if respondents thought we should change to the same version of the metric system as used in Europe. The response has been overwhelmingly in favour, in that over half the respondents agree strongly. With the ‘neutrals’ included on the assumption, it is almost nine out of ten in favour of having user-friendly metrication, or at least prepared to go along with it.
Of those who 'disagree', 'disagree strongly' or gave 'no reply' all do not want any metrication, user-friendly or not. Only three people in the whole survey want to go metric, and at the same time want to keep our present way of using metric units. They were all people who said they had a technical or scientific type of job. Where different ways of using metric units work well in a specialised trade application, surely it makes sense to do that - but not to inflict these ideas on the general public. British engineers used to work happily with sixty-fourths of an inch - but the rest of the country was never forced to do the same!
So that is my soundbite for the month. Metric is the labour-saving way to count and measure, but only if you use metric units the user-friendly way!
We should move to full Metrication as soon as possible?
45% agree strongly
22% agree
9% neutral
10% disagree
14% disagree strongly
We should use the Euro version of metric system?
53% agree strongly
30% agree
5% neutral
2% disagree
4% disagree strongly
6% no reply
A much fuller breakdown of this
report is available,
just follow the link on the left hand panel. (Sorry will follow shortly)
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