From Mr L. Pace

It is a pleasure to be told that the Maltese nation is among the happiest in the world. This is reassuring.

However, the late Prof. Fogarty used to warn the university against blissful mediocrity and the great danger of patting one's self on the back, satisfied as to how marvellous we are! This is a dangerous feeling, more so in national light.

Destiny has given us a good climate, but the question arises as to how well we have responded to God's blessing. The collection of funds for our neighbours in need is an honourable gesture, but what country did not do the same? Calling a spade a spade, we have a government which has let us down with promised millions that never came, unsatisfactory law procedures, ministers who abused their position and had to resign, a Chief of Police who could no longer carry on.

Our religion has become weak, as has indeed our faith; courtesy is practically non-existent, principles are being abandoned and there is nothing really that makes for real happiness.

The island is more divided than ever. Pique is still the order of the day and we are still a country at odds, with some supporting Our Lady of Lourdes while others support Our Lady of the Lily! How's that for religious education and I mean education in the true sense of the word?

Enjoyment is not happiness as more pleasure is now based on the "enjoy now, pay later" principle! Is the current generation worthy of its ancestors? Many think that, even with our current progress, there is much to rebuild. National pleasure-seekers cannot be the backbone of a nation.

Honesty must find its place again in our daily life because without it we cannot be an island of great people! Empty considerations, even if flattering, bear no fruit at all.

L. Pace

SLIEMA