Considering matters from an economic point of view, divorce spells disaster. Without divorce legislation, the Maltese economy overall is faring better than other EU countries, although it is finding the going tough.

As it is, married couples are finding it very hard to purchase a first home, and to keep on paying the mortgage, water and electricity bills, car fuel, house upkeep, shopping for essentials and for the occasional dinner out, or trip to Gozo or abroad. Imagine what will happen when, after a few years of marriage, a couple were to split up, without having paid off all the mortgage, and one or the other or both want to start afresh with another partner in another housing unit, which needs to be purchased through a loan from the banks.

Another ill pertains to consumption. If an individual’s, or a couple’s, disposable income is eaten up by court, lawyers, psychologist fees, etc, what will remain to be spent? So, not only will the banks and the retailers feel the pinch, but the effects will hit the wider economy, stimulated as it is now by the multitude of “free” magazines being dished out with the newspapers. I think we will be very near scoring another record – that of a cemetery for derelict shops and showrooms.

■ G Bonett

Marsalforn