MR. MINTOFF ANSWERS CAUTIOUSLY

Malta's P.M. speaks to the `C.H.'
No Interference in Religious Freedom
THE Catholic Herald asked Mr. Mintoff, who is in
London this week for talks at the Colonial Office, a number of questions about Maltese Catholic reactions to his policy. We also asked him for his views about religious freedom in the Island.
The CATHOLIC HERALD'S questions and Mr. Mintoff's answers are given below.
Our own Correspondent in Malta answers specific allegations that have been made to substantiate the charge that Anglicans do not enjoy religious freedom in Malta.
We asked Mr. Mintoff:
D°
you think the Catholic community in Britain can help to promote good relations between Britain and Malta and can you suggest how 7 TN the negotiations now in pro
gress, gress, the United Kingdom Government and the Maltese Government are trying in dead earnest to find a solution to the present difficulties. The Maltese Government have put forward proposals to the U.k. Government to meet the changed economic circumstances, i.e. the necessary remedies to deal with an economy threatened with collapse by the recent changes in the U.K. defence policy. The Maltese Government have not yet had the reactions of the U.K. Government to these proposals and therefore it is premature for the Maltese Government to give any advice. Da you think the Church authori
ties in Malta are satisfied in principle with the policy of in tegration from the religious point of view?
THE Maltese Government do not
know whether Church authorities in Malta are satisfied or not. Neither do they know whether the Church authorities in Malta are in favour of independence or any other constitutional solution for Malta, HAVE you anything to say about " the Archbishop of Canterbury's allegation that Anglicans are denied religious freedom in Malta?
PEI:MMUS toleration in Malta a' is a constitutional principle both accepted and upheld by the Maltese people. There can be no suggestion that either the Government or the people of Malta have ever attempted to interfere with the performance of religious services in the various Anglican churches on the island or the practice by Anglicans of their religion.
WOULD Maltese Catholics be happy with independence from Britain if integration proposals break down?
TUE Malta Labour Party was returned to power in 1955 by a majority of the Catholic people of Malta on a programme of integration or independence. That programme remains the Maltese Government's policy.