§ 22. Mr. HUNTasked the Postmaster-General whether, as to the case of the seventeen university men who were amongst the twenty most junior officers on the list from which appointments to the new class were made, he can say why these seventeen junior university officers were promoted over the heads of more than 100 non-university officers of long service; and what were the special qualifications possessed by the seventeen men which rendered them superior to the officers passed over?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Captain Norton)The question refers presumably to appointments to the new class of assistant engineers created under the revision of 1911. In forming this class the best qualified men 1955 were selected from the lower class of "second-class engineers," and the seventeen officers alluded to in the question were among those selected. These officers had given evidence of their fitness for admission to the new class by passing a severe competitive examination for the post of second-class engineer.
§ Mr. HUNTIs it not a fact that the university candidates are reported to have proved decidedly unsatisfactory?
§ Captain NORTONI do not think that that can possibly be the case, inasmuch as we have specially selected these seventeen gentlemen for promotion.
§ Captain NORTONI have no knowledge of that fact.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDIs it not a fact that these very men were trained by others who ought to have been promoted instead of them?
§ Captain NORTONNo, Sir. It is not the case that these men were inferior to the men by whom they were trained, but they certainly entered the service after many men over whom they were promoted.
§ Mr. HUNTIs it not a fact that these seventeen university men were trained by men over whom they have now been put?
§ Captain NORTONMost decidedly. That occurs in every service. It frequently occurs in this House.