MINTOFF KICKS OUT BRITONS

With Tory funds firmly in their grasp, the Maltese have nevertheless learned their lesson-Britain is not to be relied on.

Recently they have been giving the Tories a dose of their own medicine and showing what 'standing on their own. feet' A succession of gentlemen with long-no doubt distinguished—military backgrounds who had settled in Malta have been shown the island's door.

No reasons have been given, but deportations can only be ordered where the Prime Minister can show that these are conducive to the public good.

These tactics have, however, now received a setback. Ordered to leave Malta and with his residence permit revoked, a Briton living on the island has won what is generally regarded as a test case against the Maltese governA Maltese judge ruled a letter sent to Commander Edmund Haines from the Maltese administrative secretary ordering his departure "forthwith' did not amount to a deportation order.

The court also decided that the revocation of the perma nent residence permit, which the ( "ommander has been grantec in January, 1969, was null and void and without effect at law.

Commander Haines is the first British resident to contest such a government directive in courts.

Several Britons permanently settled in Malta have been told by the government to leave the island in the past few months without reasons being given.

They included Lt Commander Alistair Mars, a novelist and naval hero who was given less than 24 hours to - leave the country.

Commander Haines submitted that the administrative secretary's letter ordering him and his wife to leave the island was ultravires.

He also submitted that even if Minister, Dom Mintoff: his authority the defendants, Prime Minister Dom Mintoff and administrative secretary Alfred Wirth, had been vested with such authority, the exercise of such authority had to be based on legitimate reasons. Immigration Act of 1970 and He claimed the reasons should have been communicated to him, giving him an opportunity to state his explanations. permanent residence permit.

Counsel for the government Prime Minster, Dom Mintoft: his authorlty to deport Britons ls boing challenged proThe judge said that the sole conducive to the public good. against whom such an order was issued should be informed of such an order not only that he be able to comply with and obey it, but also in order that he can verify whether such an order was according to law.

He said that the letter of April 3 did not contain the minimum requisites called for by the law.