24 AUGUST 1934, Page 17

[To the Editor of TIIE SPECTATOR.]

Sin,—Your correspondent " Manufacturer " has, on the facts presented, failed to master the technique of staff selection. At the present time the best brains are not entering business. Scholarships to the Universities are numerous, and the prospects of an interesting professional career are too attractive. It follows then that really first-class brains cannot be induced to enter a trainee scheme at the age of 18. This has been recognized and now some effort is being made to induce young men to the study of business problems through—e.g., the Faculty of Economics of the Universities. Here then is where your correspondent could hope to select trainees with success. The age of such trainees would be about 21. The mental discipline involved in securing a good degree and the broad theoretical background should prove a basis on which to found a capacity for dealing with particular

problems.—I am, Sir, &c., I. RUBIN (B.Com.). 242 Dalston Lane, Hackney, E.8.