LANGUAGE PROBLEM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21649, 20 May 1932, Page 7

LANGUAGE PROBLEM

USE OF ITAUAN IN MALTA .•<*.-? ROME, May 12. - Replying to deputies’ questions whether representations had been made / to Great Britain respecting the use of the Italian language in" Malta,' the Foreign Minister, Signor Grand}, said that the Government had taken no official step as it was a question concerning the internal policy of the British Empire.: T ’ t ; - He added: “I cannot refrain from saying that the Government shares the unanimous feelings of the Italian nation which has been so painfully struck by regulations framed to diminish a language- in which generations have been educated as loyal subjects of the British Empire. On two previous occasions, in 1899 and 1902, when similar regulations were announced, Great ; Britain eventually countermanded* them,' yet Italy was then a member of un alliance, the Triple Alliance, which did. not include the British Empire. Moreover, the two countries had not shed much blood in common as they did in the Great War, nor had they worked for 10 years together in the cause of peace.” The Italian nation hopes that Great Britain, recalling, the greatness of the Empire in V, which so* many . live ■■ freely and loyally, will consider the language question in all its aspects, also taking into account Italy’s spontaneous sentiments.

The deputies loudly cheered the statement. * ,