MALTESE MIGRANTS

Evening Star, Issue 19791, 15 February 1928, Page 10

MALTESE MIGRANTS

Ifi AUSTRALIA OFFICIAL REPORT. 'A vigorous defence of the Maltese as a desirable migrant is made m the last annual report of the Superintendent of Emigration in Malta to the Minister of Migration (Professor Bartolo), says the Sydney ‘ Morning Her,ald.’ In outlining a seneme preparing young Maltese prior to emigrating overseas, the report states that, Irotn the point of view of physique, moral character, and trade ability, the Maltese was in every way the best emigration material that was at present leaving any country. “It is the cream of the land,” the report states, “each jnan being selected out of hundreds of applicants anxiously seeking well-paid work, men comparable to the pioneers of early emigration days.” Reference to the difficulties encountered by Maltese in Australia is made in the report, the principal reason being attributed to the Maltese lack of knowledge of the English language. *“ Is it strange, therefore,” the report continues, “ that in spite of their British _passports and other first-class credentials, they are often mistaken for foreigners, and treated as such? For it is inconceivable to the ordinaryminded Australian that a Britisher, as the Maltese undoubtedly is, can be ignorant of the language Of the Mother Country. The Maltese settlers in Australia, whose number is not inconsiderable, are clamoring and have a right to claim that sorabone should, on the spot, look after their interests. Recent events have accentuated their critical position, and they go clearly to show that half-measures can no longer meet the case, and that if we are to maintain at all our foothold in Australia and our prestige, and if our movement is not to be entirely destroyed, the appointment of Maltese representatives, and especially of Maltese priests, can no longer be delayed/’ As well as indicating the precautions taken to ensure that only fit and ablebodied men are allowed to migrate, the report outlines the efforts that are being made by the Maltese Emigration Department to fit migrants for settlement overseas, and emphasises the need for educating and training them in technical and artisan occupations.