FUTURE OF MALTA

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28747, 19 November 1958, Page 20

FUTURE OF MALTA

Separate Talks [ In London

i (A’.Z Press Assoctatton —Copt/rtghti LONDON. November 17. The Colonial Secretary 'Mr, I Alan Lennox-Boyd) today 'began' I new efforts to solve the critical, (constitutional and economic prob-' (lems of the Mediterranean island (fortress Colony of Malta in sep-i arate talks in London with its! political leaders. The rocky island, about the size! of London, has been administered by the Governor (Sir Robert Laycock), under his emergency powers, since last April, after the resignation of the Prime Minister 'Mr Dom Mintoff), leader of the Labour Party. He left office in protest against British policy concerning financial help and defence cuts in the big naval base and dockyards. Mr Lennox-Boyd is seeking a basis of agreement for a new Maltese constitution between Mr Mintoff. who wants Malta’s independence. Dr. Borg Olivier. Nationalist Party Leader, who wants Dominion status, and Miss Mabel Strickland. Leader of the Progressive Constitutional Party, who wants continued strong links; between Malta and Britain. There was an immediate diffi-' culty when Mr Mintoff announced that he would not sit at the same table as Miss Strickland.