MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster-General, whether vacant postmasterships are all advertised in the "Post Office Circular"; whether some candidates applying for vacancies before the publication of the circular containing the announcement receive the posts, while others are informed that the public notice must precede applications being made; and whether the Postmaster-General will direct that a uniform system may prevail, to ensure equal opportunities for all applicants?
§ MR. HANBURYTo advertise all vacancies would only lead to confusion and disappointment, as there are often departmental reasons for filling a vacant 329 office by transfer from another office or by the appointment of a particular officer, and in such cases to advertise for candidates would be misleading. When an office is advertised as vacant no applications from candidates are considered until all the applications have been received and reported upon. It is not proposed to make any alteration in the existing system.