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MALTA
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
* Reference :--
TILLICO. 885
24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGAS NOT TO
publio a supply of sugar which could be retailed at reasonable prices. This timely action on the part of the Government had the effect of steadying the local market and preventing a further advance in prices; but, as soon as it became apparent that the position had again become normal, the importation of Government sugar was
discontinued.
The total quantity of sugar imported by the Government was about 570 tons, of which about 870 have so far been disposed of by gradual sales at retail prices, which have in no case exceeded 51d. per rotolo (28 ozs.).
8. Frozen Meat.-Another staple article of food which gave indications of shortage was fresh meat, and in September last the Government took steps to provide a quantity of frozen meat for sale to the public. With the permission of the military authorities, about 100 tons of Australian beef intended for the garrison were taken over by the Government, the cost of storage and other connected expenses being, of course, borne by the local exchequer. This experiment was not successful, however, owing to an unaccountable prejudice which the population appears to harbour against the use of frozen meat; and, in spite of the fact that this meat was -at considerable loss to the Government-offered for sale at lower prices than those ruling for fresh meat, the sales were so insignificant that the undertaking had to be abandoned and the stock in hand again made over to the military authorities.
9. Cattle-Through the courtesy of the authorities in Tunis, permission was obtained in November last for the exportation to Malta of 400 head of cattle a month, on the understanding that no re-exportation would be allowed from Malta. For some time the Government retained in its own hands the monopoly of the import of live stock from Tunis in order to guard against unfair competition with the frozen meat venture of the Government; as, however, owing to the restricted sources of supply the price of meat was rising by leaps and bounds, it has recently been considered expedient to withdraw all restrictions on the importation of cattle from the Regency of Tunis.
10. Flour and Bread. As regards bread, which is the staple article of food in these islands, the price of the rotolo loaf stood, before the war, at 24d. On the outbreak of hostilities it rose to 34d. and even to 4d. Apart from the causes adversely affecting the prices of articles of food of all descriptions, the increase in the price of bread was perhaps also due to the inactivity of flour importers. In these circumstances it became desirable to establish a standard flour, at a fixed price, which could be used by the bakers to produce a standard loaf at a maximum price of 34d., and with this end in view the Government decided to import a certain quantity of flour, which could be sold to retailers at a price leaving them a reason- able margin of profit. The total quantity imported up to date is 4,000 cwts., of which about one half is being still held in stock.
The
The action of the Government was productive of satisfactory results. price of local flour was steadied, and that of bread maintained for some time at 34d., rising to 4d. only lately, owing to the fluctuations in foreign countries.
11. I have only to add, in conclusion, that ever since the war broke out the emergency measures which the Government has been obliged to enforce have been accepted in a cheerful and loyal spirit by all classes of the population, whose admir- able demeanour during this critical period of the island's history minimized the difficulties with which the Government has had to deal.
I have, &c.,
Enclosure in No. 79.
LESLIE RUNDLE,
Governor.
Proclamations and Government Notices issued in Malta in connexion with events
arising from state of war. (2nd August, 1914-4th February, 1915.)
Austria-Hungary, declaration of war
Assessment Board
Army Act
Cattle
Contraband of war
Page.
185
188
189
187
189
Flour
Licences for fireworks, etc. Moratorium
Page
Censorship
189
Coal-heaving in harbours Communication with ships
190
190
Customs duties on gifts to the troops Declaration of London
190
187
Export prohibition
186
Enemy merchant ships, treatment of
186
Food supplies
188
Frozen meat
189
189
Germany, declaration of war
185
Importation of goods
187
190
188
189
185
185
187
188
190
189
188
188
189
185
186
189
Militia
Precautionary stage
Ports and harbours Prize Court Paper currency Public safety
Royal Naval Reserve Savings Bank
Sugar and lard
Spirits, supply of, to the troops Turkey, declaration of war
Trading with the enemy
Wireless telegraphy
Precautionary Stage.
Proclamation VIII, of 2nd August, 1914, publishing Her late Majesty's Order
in Council of 28th October, 1896.
Declaration of War with Germany.
Proclamation XII., of 5th August, 1914, announcing the outbreak of war between England and Germany.
Declaration of War with Austria-Hungary.
(i) Proclamation XVII., of 13th August, 1914, announcing the outbreak of war between England and Austria-Hungary.
(ii) Government Notice No. 148, of 15th August, 1914, announcing the issue of a Royal Proclamation applying to Austria-Hungary all Proclamations issued regarding Germany, as also His Majesty's Order in Council of 4th August, 1914.
(iii) Government Notice No. 188, of 14th September, 1914, publishing full text of Proclamation declaring war against Austria-Hungary.
Declaration of War with Turkey.
(i) Proclamation XXXVII., of 5th November, 1914, announcing the outbreak of war between England and Turkey.
(ii) Government Notice No. 248, of 6th November, 1914, announcing the issue of a Royal Proclamation applying to Turkey all Proclamations and Orders in Council issued with regard to Germany and Austria-Hungary, with the exception of the Order in Council of 4th August, 1914, published by Governor's Proclamation XIII. of 5th August, 1914.
(iii) Government Notice No. 265, of 25th November, 1914, publishing full text of Proclamation declaring war against Turkey.
Ports and Harbours.
(i) Proclamation IX., of 2nd August, 1914, making Regulations and Orders respecting the ports and harbours of these islands and the movement and location of ships and boats therein and in the waters of these islands.
(ii) Government Notices, No. 170, of 29th August, 1914, No. 208, of 23rd September, 1914, and No. 201, of 14th December, 1914, publishing amendments to the Proclamation.
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MALTA.