In approaching the subject-matter of this paper I am fully conscious of its importance and the difficulties to be contended with in dealing with such a vexed question, the far-reaching effect of which must of a necessity materially influence the financial position on retirement of thousands of asylum officials of all grades. In adopting the question of superannuation I do not think I could have selected a better or more useful one for the purpose of calling attention to the provisions of the Acts of Parliament which determine the retiring allowances in this country, and the similiar Acts operating in England and Scotland, and, at the same time, eliciting an opinion as to how our common interests could be best served in getting rid of the permissive clauses common to all the Acts.