I agree with Stephen and Duncan. Private people should not be forced by law
to use metric, they should evolve into it. When the Netherlands went metric
around 1820 the same principles ruled.
For instance: when old weights and measures were found in trade areas, the
owner was prosecuted. However, when old weights and measures were found in
the living area behind the shop, in the private sphere in other words, the
owner was not prosecuted, or in the event he had to stand trial, he was
acquitted.
The regulations stated that old weights and measures were only banned from
use in trade.
Two butchers were prosecuted. They had used old weights *in speech* while
selling meat. They were acquitted.
The general population was slowly lead towards accepting metrication by
information, propaganda and through the schools.
Eventually the use of old units slowly becomes impossible or at least
impractical, when every trade has changed, and people get comfortable with
the new units. It happened in all metricated countries in the end. And that
is what the BWMA fears above all.
Han
----- Original Message -----
From: "Stephen Davis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2001 1:50 AM
Subject: [USMA:15373] Re: BWMA's motto
I fully believe that the movements for the use of SI set out to actively
"encourage" the use of SI for private and domestic use.
However, I don't think advocates of SI have ever suggested, and nor should
they, that use of SI for private and domestic use should be in any way be
made compulsory!!
For a start, how would it ever be policed??
Of course for matters of trade and such, they should be mandatory but, for
private use, people should be allowed to choose whatever units of
measurement they think fit!!
Regards,
Steve.
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Duncan Bath" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "U.S. Metric Association" [EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2001 4:32 PM
Subject: [USMA:15365] Re: BWMA's motto
Remember, using the 'freedom to measure' weapon is a 2-edged sword.
Our aim is to establish SI as THE measurement standard of the world. Of
course, that does not and should not preclude my using inches and 64ths of
an inch in my basement workshop nor talking in miles, acres and so on.
Duncan
<snip>
