Editorial

For its latest survey of public opinion, The Sunday Times decided to depart from its usual practice and commission one exclusively among Gozitans. We have done this because we feel that Gozo has special characteristics and therefore particular problems, not least its "double insularity". We also wanted to find out what Gozitans think about the central government's awareness of their problems, about work opportunities provided on the island, about Maltese and foreign visitors, and how they react to widely held perceptions of Gozo and the Gozitans.

It has first to be said that successive governments have recognised the particular needs of Gozo and its inhabitants; the Nationalist administration elected in 1987 set up a Ministry for Gozo (downgraded to a Parliamentary Secretariat under the 1996-98 Labour administration) precisely in recognition of this.

Yet despite the setting up of various facilities in Gozo, such as a University centre, branches of institutes of higher learning, subsidised ferry fares, a well-equipped hospital and a heliport, Gozitan workers and students in particular, especially those who have to travel to Malta, still face disadvantages. These are highlighted in the results of our survey.

To begin with, it came as no surprise that a staggering 92 per cent of Gozitans consider themselves Gozitans first, rather than Maltese. This underlines the strong regional identity of Gozitans. However, in view of the facilities already mentioned, and the undoubted progress registered in Gozo over the years, it is surprising that 79.3 per cent feel that the government does not give adequate importance to Gozo. It is obvious that the feeling which led to the formation of the short-lived Gozo Party in the late Forties is still strong. That party was set up as it was felt that it was the only way Gozo could receive the attention it deserved.

One would have thought that the electoral commission's proposal to hive off Ghajnsielem from the Gozo district since the number of electors in Gozo had exceeded the national average by more than the permissible five per cent - a proposal which Gozitans undoubtedly oppose - would be blamed more squarely on the fact that hundreds of Maltese owning a residence in Gozo have been allowed to change their official home address, thus enabling them to vote in Gozo - and of course benefit from reduced ferry rates for Gozo residents.

In fact, again surprisingly, 71 per cent of Gozitans agree that the voting document should be issued to a person "wherever one owns a house". This ties in, perhaps, with the feeling among 74.7 per cent of Gozitans that they preferred Maltese visitors to foreigners, presumably because they are bigger spenders when they are in Gozo.

Actually, the acquiring of property in Gozo by a growing number of well-to-do Maltese must have a positive effect on Gozo's economy, although some bemoan the steep rise in property prices. Apart from their more frequent use of Gozo Channel ferries, Maltese owners of property in Gozo also engage local workers, buy from local shops, and use local services.

Yet a large majority of Gozitans (89 per cent) feel that there are not enough work opportunities on the island. They have indicated crafts and tourism as the two areas where more work could be created, underlining the growing dependence of the Gozitan economy on tourism. This should encourage efforts to promote Gozo as a distinct destination for upmarket tourists, but clearly, more job-creating investment is called for.

Ferry services between the two islands generally get the thumbs up, going by the results of our survey, mainly because they are considered frequent and comfortable. However, 36 per cent are unsatisfied, arguing that they are too expensive, and complaining that there are not enough crossings, resulting in long queues to board the ferries.

Our survey also asked Gozitans to react to a number of widely-held perceptions about Gozo. For instance, that in Gozo one depends on political patronage to get things done: this found the highest level of agreement. Another perception which found agreement is that the newly resumed helicopter service - which has been criticised as being too expensive - will not succeed. Much less pronounced was agreement with the statement that Gozitans spend a lot of time and energy arguing about festas. The rivalry between Victoria's two parishes (and band clubs) is notorious. However, in the case of the band clubs, each of which has built an impressive opera house, the rivalry is sometimes healthy because thanks to them opera and music lovers can enjoy some high-quality productions.

As expected, though, many Gozitans reject the assumption that VAT 'barely exists' in Gozo or that Gozitans do not pay their due taxes. That, presumably, is a matter for the tax authorities to determine.