THREAT BY MALTA British Ties May Be Cut

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28474, 2 January 1958, Page 7

THREAT BY MALTA British Ties May Be Cut

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) VALLETTA (Malta) Dec. 31. Malta’s Prime Minister, Mr Dom Mintoff, was unlikely to take any major decision on a break with Britain before Parliament resumes on January 14, in the opinion of Parliamentary circles in Valletta.

They expected him to mark time pending a British reply to his warning last night of a severance of ties unless Britain provided alternative employment for workers discharged at the great Maltese naval dockyard. The general inference from last night’s motion, and from the fact that it was passed with acclamation, is that Mr Mintoff is now fully committed, and has a united Parliamentary front. He failed during last night’s sitting to define the “agreements and obligations” which he threatens to abrogate. But it is felt in Malta that he has left the next move up to the British Government, and that if they discharge more dockyard workers without finding them other jobs, Mr Mintoff will implement his warning. Some observers forecast demonstrations, probably minor ones, in support of Mr Mintoff, in the fortnight that will elapse before Parliament sits again. The threat to sever ties with Britain arises from fears that British defence cuts will undermine Malta’s prosperity, which is largely dependent on the dockyard. Malta accuses Britain of not being prepared to honour a 1955 declaration that she will avoid unemployment on the island.