§ MR. MOONEY (Dublin Co., S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if he is aware that the position of postmaster at Kingstown, county Dublin, has recently been filled by the appointment of a former assistant superintendent from Plymouth; and that in Cork, Derry, and Limerick the office of postmaster has in each case been filled by Englishmen; and if the necessity for these importations is not caused by the inefficiency of Irish postal officials, will he state on what grounds such appointments are made, and promotion retarded.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe vacancy for a postmaster at Kingstown was advertised in the Post Office Circular in the usual way, and the Postmaster General selected from the candidates who applied the officer whom he considered the best qualified, having regard to rank and seniority as well as efficiency. The postmasters of Cork, Londonderry, and Limerick were also appointed on the ground that they were in each case the best qualified for the office to be filled. The Postmaster General has usually no knowledge of the nationality of candidates, and in filling vacancies he considers only the qualifications of the candidates without reference to nationality.
§ MR. MOONEYIs it not the fact that all the four postmasters referred to served their time in an English office?
§ MR. O'SHAUGHNESSY (Limerick, W.)Were there no local men qualified for the positions?
§ Mr. SPEAKEROrder, order! That is not the question.