The Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the

1851-4] COMMISSION ON SALARIES. 247
They advise that, in order to place " the highest
prizes within the reach of every deserving person,"
means should be taken " for opening the ranks of
the Secretary's Office to all members of the establish-
ment."
They further advise that, throughout the department,
individual salaries should advance by annual
increments, instead of by large jumps at long in-
tervals ; all advancement, however, to be contingent
on good conduct.
After mentioning the division of the circulation
department into the "Inland Office," and the "London
District Office," and showing "the analogous character
of these two offices," they recommend the consolidation
of the two.
They point
reasonable terms, it is
out that to obtain suitable men on
"
necessary to hold out
prospects of advancement to those who conduct
themselves well, and who manifest the qualifications
which are required for superior posts," so that "by
a proper encouragement to merit, economy and
efficiency may be combined."
To improve the discipline of the provincial offices
an improvement then much required they recommend
that the respective postmasters should,
under approval and in accordance with prescribed
rules, appoint their own clerks.
They proceed to make the golden recommendation
"
that all promotion should be strictly regulated
according to qualification and merit ;" a rule which,
could its complete observance be secured, would in
time raise any department to the highest state of
efficiency and economy.
Their next recommendation deals with one of those
anomalies in which our political and social structure,