MALTA NOT IN NEED OF URGENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Wanganui Chronicle, 23 December 1949, Page 5

MALTA NOT IN NEED OF URGENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Opinion Of British Government Is Expressed In White Paper

LONDON, Doc. 22 (Rec. 6 pm).—ln a White Raper reviewing the recent financial talks between the Governments of Malta and the United Kingdom, the British Government expresses the view that on the information available it could not accept the opinion of the Maltese delegates that Malta stood in urgent and pressing need of financial assistance. The Government of Malta’s

financial reserves stood at near-1 ly £2,000,000 at the end of the last financial yqar, and there still were considerable amounts to be drawn from the Colonial Development Fund, War Damage Fund, and other sources. It was recognised that in a few years’ time the economy of the island might present difficulties, but the opinion was expressed that the way was open to the Maltese Government to anticipate these difficulties by developing forms of employment and by encouraging emigration. The White Paper makes it plain; that the British Government was very ready to help Malta provided the Maltese Government would agree to

I an expert inquiry into its finances and economy. The British Government considered that it was not m a position to assess Malta’s problems with accuracy, and that it was for the local administration to set up an inquiry. The Maltese representatives, however, did not see fit to provide the necessary information and, indeed, at one period during the discussions, delivered what had been described as i an ultimatum to the British authorities. The White Paper points out that the British Admiralty wages bill in I Malta is still £2,250,000 annually, comI pared with £800,00(1 in 1938, and says 'that continuation of full employment |in naval dockyards, as suggested by the Maltese Government is impractici! able.—Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.