2002-04-12 If I'm not mistaken, for awhile in the 1970s and 1980s, it was illegal to import non-metric measuring devices and tools. Even though the law was later rescinded, the damage was done. For that time people were forced to use metric only and had metric only tools, thus the adaptation was quicker. If England and Canada had done the same, neither would be using Simperial now.
Also, I don't think the BWMA ever mentions Australia, New Zealand or South Africa. They are most likely shamed and angered that these cultural brothers have successfully converted. Does anyone know for sure? John ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, 2002-04-12 13:31 Subject: [USMA:19423] Re: Hey, a new idea! > "1901 The first step towards metrication in Australia was taken during > the term of the first Parliament after Federation. It was moved that > Australia consider the adoption of the metric units of weights and > measures. > > 1947 Australia signed the Treaty of the Metre which made metric units > legal for use in Australia. > > 1970 The Metric Conversion Act was passed and received Royal Assent. The > Metric Conversion Board was established and Australia commenced the > change to metric units. > > 1971 By the end of 1971, the Australian wool industry had converted to > the SI system. > > 1972 The packaging of grains, dairy products and eggs went metric and > the SI system was introduced to primary school education. > > 1973 The SI system was introduced to secondary school education. The > year > > 1973 also saw the conversion of packaging of some small goods e. g. > tobacco, sugar and peanuts. The tanning industry also underwent > conversion. > > 1974 By the end of 1974, most industries in Australia had converted to > metric, e. g. building industry . timber, paper and printing industry . > agricultural and veterinary chemicals . meteorological services . > photography . postal and communication charges . road transport and > travel . textile industry . gas & electricity services . land & > surveying . > sport & recreation . water & sewerage . mining & metallurgy . rubber, > chemicals & petroleum derivatives . fabricated metal products . > automotive engineering . all beverages apart from spirits . ship > building . aeronautical engineering. > > 1976 By the end of 1976, all packaged goods were required to be labelled > in metric sizes, and the following were also converted to metric: . air > transport industry . food energy . > petrol pumps . machine tools . electronic and electrical engineering > appliance manufacturing. > > 1981 The Metric Conversion Board was dissolved. > > 1984 Responsibility for the completion of metrication was transferred to > the National Standards Commission. > > 1987 Real Estate dealings went metric. > > 1988 Withdrawal of remaining imperial units from general legal use." > > http://www.nsc.gov.au/PDF_WORD/Info/L03.pdf > > > -- > Terry Simpson > Human Factors Consultant > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > www.connected-systems.com > Phone: +44 7850 511794 > >
