§ SIR SAMUEL SCOTTTo ask the Postmaster-General whether instructions have been given to local postmasters to canvass civilians for the employment of telegraph messengers of the age of six teen; and whether, instead of discharging these boys to swell the ranks of the un employed, he will retain till the age of eighteen those willing to serve in the Regular Army, and will guarantee them employment in the Post Office after they have completed their services with the colours and been discharged with a good character.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) I have recently initiated measures for organising and extending the efforts frequently made by local postmasters to obtain good employment for telegraph messengers for whom there are no permanent outlets in the Post Office; and I am happy to say with much success. I do not think that ex-telegraph messengers of good character swell the ranks of the unemployed. The boys are. no doubt, well aware of the arrangement under which soldiers, discharged with good character, have for many years past been given a proportion of postmen's places.