§ 12. Captain LOSEBYasked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider the advisability of so amending the present system of promotion in the Army, more particularly in the case of officers, that in the Army of the future promotion is based upon merit alone?
Captain GUESTIt is not considered advisable to change the present system of promotion. Under the present rules no-officer may be promoted unless he is qualified in every way for the duties of the higher rank, and where several are equally qualified it is only fair that length of service should be taken into considera- 183 tion. Promotion by merit alone during the War, involving frequent transfers of officers from one unit to another, brought to light the fact that the system is not altogether satisfactory, as it is practically impossible to compare the merits of officers who are not reported on by the same authority.