§ 11. Captain LOSEBYasked the Secretary for War if he is aware that recruiting posters are still being exhibited which suggest that the position of sergeant-major in the Regular Army represents the limit to the ambition of a private soldier; and if, in view of the altered conditions, he will consider the advisability of issuing instructions that the sergeant-major's crown should be replaced by a field-marshal's baton?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONThere are two recruiting posters on which the sergeant-major's crown is shown. One deals with the rates of pay of warrant officers, noncommissioned officers, and men, and shows the badge of each rank for which the rate of pay is granted. The pay of officers is not dealt with. The other has "The moving stairway of quick promotion," in which the highest rank shown is that of sergeant-major. The figure at the top of the stairway is obviously moving higher and out of the picture of noncommissioned officers and warrant ranks. I do not think that the field marshal's baton could be brought into this picture consistently with accuracy of description of the moving stairway as being one of "quick promotion."
§ Captain LOSEBYWould not posters such as I suggest not only have the effect of stimulating the troops, but also serve as a reminder to the right hon. Gentleman of the pledges with which I think he is familiar?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONI will consider the matter.