Lord Selborne defended the resolve to go back to the
early age of entry, as supported by the almost unanimous approval of the Service, and held that the combination of special and general education necessary could only be secured at Naval Colleges. Reversion to the principle of nomination was the inevitable corollary of the early age of entry and the conse- quent abolition of competitive examination, but it would be jealously safeguarded so as to prevent abuse of patronage. The process of the elimination of the inefficient cadets would begin while they were young enough to receive education else- where and for other occupations. Lord Selborne also dwelt on the excellent results already attained by the use of sea- going training-ships, on the further advantages conferred on the engine-room, and the avenues to promotion opened to the lower deck ; and vigorously repudiated the doctrine that everything which is given to any other officer is so much detracted from the value of the executive officer's position. In conclusion, he summarised the duties of the Board of Admiralty as being "to venerate the past, to guard the present, and to live for the future " ; and he vindicated the utility of the new scheme as effectually providing against useless surplusage of officers in one branch and dangerous shortage in another. The speech was in every way excellent. Nothing has done more to raise Lord Selborne in public estimation as a statesman and administrator than his handling of the subject of naval training.
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