CLASS DISTINCTIONS

Grey River Argus, 16 May 1946, Page 8

CLASS DISTINCTIONS

FEELING IN ENGLAND LONDON, May 14. The hardy annual, “the old school tie” has' cropped up again. A member of the Commons, Lieut. Colonel King, made a demand that Britain’s highest posts in the Civil Service, the Forces, and the Public Services should not be so closely the preserve of boys from the few public schools. Pie said 76 per cent, of high administrative posts' go to 1.86 of the population, but two thirds of the brains of the country are not even included in that 1.86.

Mr. Hardman, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education, replied that there had been a progressive decrease in the “old school tie” influence, and a progressive increase in the number of high civil service posts filled from the grantschools.

That class distinction are not what they were is also indicated by the fact that no differentiation is made between amateurs and professionals in cricket. This season has seen an end to the practice of indicating their different status. Both now enter the field through the same gate, instead of by different gates. Says Jack Hobbs, commenting: “A jolly good move, too —considerably overdue.”