May I congratulate the Prime Minister of Malta, Dr Lawrence Gonzi, for taking the decision to erect a monument to commemorate child migration to Australia. As the saying goes, “Better late than never”.

May I remind the Malta government that according to the published proceedings and report of the Convention of Leaders of Associations of Maltese Abroad and of Maltese Origin held in Malta between 25 January and 1 February 2000, Leslie Agius from the Foundation of International Studies and chairman of the Roots Committee announced that Cabinet had approved the setting up of a monument at Customs House to recognise all emigrants who left Malta as an expression of Malta’s attachment to her sons and daughters overseas.

It is sincerely hoped that this latest promise made by the Prime Minister will be kept this time round, as everyone knows that the Cabinet decision to build a monument to recognise ALL migrants who left Malta, promised five years ago, was never built.

Lawrence Dimech OAM

Sydney

AUSTRALIA