In 1921 Malta was granted the Amery-Milner Constitution which
ensured autonomy in internal affairs when a diarchical system of
government was introduced. Control was divided between a Maltese
government and an Imperial government which had control over many
'reserved matters'. A bicameral legislature, consisting of a
Legislative Assembly and a Senate was introduced and the right to
vote was given to men who were twenty-one years old, or upwards and
had certain literacy and property qualifications. A minority
government was formed by Joseph Howard of the UPM (Nationalist). He
was succeeded by Francesco Buhagiar and Ugo Mifsud. Following the
1927 Elections Lord Gerald Strickland led the Compact parties,
Labour and Constitutional, in government. At the time a political
crisis ensued regarding the Senate. It was accentuated by a
political-religious struggle between Strickland and the Church. In
1930 the Constitution was amended and then suspended ushering a
period of political confusion.
When responsible government was returned in 1932, Ugo Mifsud became
Prime Minister. But the Constitution was soon suspended and
gubernatorial autocracy imposed. It was at this time that whilst
Maltese artists and authors were gaining prestige, the Maltese
language was made the official language of the Courts in 1934. In
1936 an Executive Council was established and in 1939 the Macdonald
Constitition provided for the setting up of a Council of Government
half the members of which was to consist of Maltese elected
representatives.
The dark clouds that were gathering made the Maltese put aside their
political struggle and unite in defence of democracy and
civilisation. Following Italy's entry into the War, Malta started to
suffer air-raid bombing. People from the Harbour area evacuated
their homes and flocked to shelter inland, others went to live in
shelters hewn in the rock. A number of persons were interned by the
British authorities and some, including Dr Enrico Mizzi, were
deported to Uganda.
While Italian and German bombers brought havoc to the Maltese
islands, which were at first defended notably by three Gladiators
named 'Hope', 'Faith' and 'Charity', the problem of supplies was
soon felt. An invasion threat in July 1941 ended in complete failure
when coast defenders spotted E-boats of the Decima Flottiglia Mas.
Whilst people suffered hunger, a final assault was ordered by
Kesserling. But the people's heroism withstood every attack. On the
15th April 1942 King George VI awarded the 'George Cross' to the
people of Malta in appreciation of their heroism.
The German invasion plan known as Operation Hercules was scheduled
for July 1942, but the Nazi plan also failed. The Santa Maria
convoy, including the tanker Ohio, brought relief to the defenders
while Mgr Gonzi's appeal to the Gozitans to harvest their wheat
solved much of the food problem. People had to live on meagre
rations of food distributed by the Victory Kitchens. Malta could
breathe freely once the Allies lad launched their offensive in North
Africa.
Slowly the people could come out of their shelters and view the
destruction that had resulted in many towns and villages. On 20th
June 1943 George VI visited the Island from where landing forces
were soon to proceed for the invasion of Sicily. On 8th December
1943 F D Roosevelt, President of the USA, visited Malta and paid
homage to her people who gave valorous service in the case of
freedom and justice.
