STATUS OF MALTA

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27894, 16 February 1956, Page 13

STATUS OF MALTA

‘Next Move With Britain’ (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, February 15 : The next move in the question of integrating Malta with Britain is Britain’s, according to several British newspapers today. Two-thirds of those who voted in the week-end referendum in Malta expressed their desire for integration, but only 60 per cent, of the electorate voted. “The Times” said: “A chance in history has been missed. Malta is left in a constitutional cul-de-sac. The responsibility for the result is primarily that of the Church.” “Britain must now be prepared for a serious situation in Malta, “The Times” added. The “Manchester Guardian” said that if Mr Mintoff resigned his office as Prime Minister, the Opposition would not be able to form a government. There would have to be an election, and a majority for the Labour Party would be clear evidence of the Maltese people’s wishes. The “Daily Telegraph” said that this was not an ordinary political issue, but a question of irrevocable constitutional change. “The next step rests with the British Government.” The “News Chronicle” said that no decision by the British Government was possible until Malta had been debated. “Pending the debate, we believe that the Colonial Secretary should make it clear that the Government is prepared to give official backing to the White Paper’s recommendations on integration,” the “News Chronicle” said. There was no reason whv another referendum should not be held after the British Government and the Church in Malta had come to a clearer understanding, it said. The “Daily Express” commented that the idea of joining Malta to Britain should now be dropped.