1.
GV: Labour Party conference in progress at Freedom hall, Marsa.
0.05

2.
CU: Prime Minister Dom Mintoff addressing conference.
0.18

3.
MV: Former Health minister Dr. A.V.Hyzler acknowledging applause.
0.48

4.
MV: Dr. Hyzler walks to stage and receives certificate from Mr. Mintoff; crowd applauding. (2 shots)
1.14

5.
MV: Mr. Mintoff addressing conference.
1.41



Initials RH/YA/DK/2340



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Mr. Dom Mintoff, the Prime Minister of Malta and the leader of the country's Labour Party, said on Thursday (23 September) that the majority of the Maltese people had voted for socialism in the recent general elections. He also said that anyone who tried to obstruct the will of the majority would be guilty of abusing the democratic system.

SYNOPSIS: Mr. Mintoff made these statements while addressing the general conference of the Labour Party at Freedom Hall in Marsa. He was called upon to speak shortly after being re-elected party leader in a secret ballot.

The conference paid tribute to Dr. A.V. Hyzler, former Minister of Health, who did not contest the last elections because, as he put it, his health could no longer permit him to work 24 hours a day. Presenting Dr. Hyzler with a certificate of thanks and appreciation, Mr. Mintoff said it was for the huge volume of work he had done on behalf of the people. The Prime Minister said that because of his long service to the country, Dr. Hyzler fully ???erited the first certificate of appreciation that was being issued by the Malta Labour Party. The former Health Minister, who promised to continue to work for the Labour movement, was given a standing ovation as he received the award.

Continuing to speak on the theme of socialism, Mr. Mintoff declared that it was an ideology based on love and not on violence. He stated that the Labour Party not want a socialist Malta just to take some money from the rich to give to the poor. That, he said, was only a necessary beginning as people were not inclined to share what had willingly.