A Firm Stand

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1008, 26 June 1930, Page 11

A Firm Stand

BRITAIN’S POLICY IN MALTA

Colonial Secretary Explains STATEMENT BY LORD STRICKLAND THE British Colonial Secretary stated in the House of Lords that the Government, though anxious to settle Malta's problems, would retain its suspension of the constitution until freedom of election was assured in the island colony. Lord Strickland, Prime -Minister of Malta, gave a startling interview in England.

United P.A. — By Telegraph—Copyright Reed. 12.5 p.m. RUGBY, Wednesday. In the House of Lords, Lord Cusliendun asked the Government whether they were still endeavouring to renew negotiations for co-ordination between the ecclesiastical and the civil authorities in Malta, .whether the former had yet given orders which would restore to the electorate of the Colony complete freedom to exercise their political judgement, and how long it was expected it might be necessary to suspend the holding of the elections in the Colony. Viscount Fitz-Alan appealed to Lord Strickland, Prime Minister of Malta, who was present in the House, to make some gesture that might alleviate the present situation and which would place him in a position lie ought to hold in the Island of Malta. He believed much good could come of such a gesture and that peace and spiritual welfare would he restored to that great historic island fortress. Lord Strickland thanked the Government for the decision it had arrived. He said the Government’s declaration did not mean a suspension of the Consitiution. It anly meant a suspension of the elections, but. having got to that stage, the problem was now to get out.

The way to do that was by further ordinances. Therefore he accepted loyally and freely and apparent or real

diminution of his previous authority. Defending his conduct of affairs in Malta. Lord Strickland said: “I may have been tactless sometimes, but not always. I have been Governor under the Crown four times, and I should not have been Governor twice if I were.” “Lord Passfield, Colonial Secretary, said the Government had never taken sides in this matter. It was with the greatest regret that the Government was driven to take the step it had taken and even temporarily to suspnd the constitution. It was suspending the Constitution in order to save it. The Constitution was not being maintained if the freedom of election was taken away. When they could get back to freedom of election the Constitution would be restored. During the suspension, the Government would be carried on by the Governor by means of Orders in Council. The Government was not going to give way to the demands of the Vatican that Lord Strickland and his colleagues should be removed. A Press association message says that Lord Strickland, interviewed in regard to the British Government’s decision temporarily to suspend the Constitution of the island remarked:

‘‘l have done my job, I did not fly to England for nothing.” He concluded, smiling: “I would bet you six to four I am assassinated within a year.”