ANGER RISES IN MALTA

From a Special
Correspondent in Malta THIS has been a week of tension and growing anger on the Catholic island of Malta. The Maltese Gov' ernment retaliated swiftly to Whitehall's decision to reduce the quota of British troops on the island by cutting off supplies of duty free fuel to the R.A.F.
Several minor incidents during the week have given the impression that the two Governments are playing a game of "tit for tat". The Maltese at one point took over the Army parking area, leaving the British Commander with no place to park his car. It is small matters like this that are adding to the frustration in an already overheated situation.
On Sunday priests and nuns were among thousands who marched from the Church of St. Publius in Floriana to the Cathedral of St. John in Valletta. They were protesting at the British Government's plan to withdraw two thirds of the 4,500 servicemen over the next four years.
LOSS OF JOBS They fear that such a move will double the number of unemployed on the island. This will mean that nearly one in five of the country's workers will be without jobs. But Mr. Bowden, British Co innionweaith Secretary, has said that there is no question of meeting Malta's demand that the defence cuts should be modified.
In Britain, a group of Labour MPs has tabled a motion requesting the Government to give financial and technical help to Malta to provide alternative jobs for people hit by the reduction of British forces.
Picture—P.2 and Letters to the Editor—P.5