  Superstring derived $\E$ models can accommodate small neutrino masses if a
discrete symmetry is imposed which forbids tree level Dirac neutrino masses but
allows for radiative mass generation. The only possible symmetries of this kind
are known to be generation dependent. We explore the possibility that, as a
consequence of such a symmetry, the three sets of light states in each
generation do not have the same assignments with respect to the {\bf 27} of
$E_6$, implying that the gauge interactions under the additional $U(1)^\pr$
factors are non universal. Models realising such a scenario are found to be
viable, and by requiring the number of light neutral states to be minimal, an
almost unique pattern of neutrino masses and mixings arises. We briefly discuss
a model in which, with a natural choice of the parameters, $m_{\nu_\tau}\sim
0.1-10\,$eV is generated at one loop, $m_{\nu_\mu} \sim 10^{-3}\,$eV is
generated at two loops and ${\nu_e}$ remains massless.
