Not all in vain

There is some satisfaction when you learn that what has been written in this column reached the right (and left) ears and some action is being taken. If readers may wish to remember, some time ago I wrote about the unsavoury advertising of surgical operations that are mainly intended to improve looks rather than health. On that occasion, I placed it squarely on the shoulders of the Broadcasting Authority, as advertising on television especially has an impact that is more direct on the consumer.

A few days ago, I casually met Dr Kevin Aquilina, who informed me that the Broadcasting Authority, following those two articles in succession, and possibly also through the alert of other quarters, has set up a committee to draw up rules on such matters. He also indicated that the rules will probably be in place by September.

My only hope is that there is no hidden advertising. This is more subtle and more invasive. An example would illustrate better. It is one thing to have a serious programme about a health issue, with independent advice and opinion from reputable professionals. It is another if during the advertising intervals the message is about travel, toothpaste or spaghetti. But it is not proper to have advertisements in between about medical preparations or procedures that are the answer to the problems raised by the health professionals. In such cases, the doctors may find themselves the unwary promoters of products.

Absolutely in vain...

The British have removed the need for wigs in certain courts. They were expensive and useless. In Malta we still have a dress code for the courts, which with climate change is inappropriate. Years back I tried in vain to push for a simpler and cleaner dress code, which is appropriate without being casual. It failed. The only beneficiaries are police officers in the lower courts. The opponents of any change raise the argument that with air-conditioners the situation has changed, and work in a court room can be bearable, even with the old dress code.

That makes some sense if the air-conditioners are functioning properly. There is only one area where the functioning is perfect and that is on the floor that now houses the administration of the courts, where few people use the services. That floor has become posh, resembling a hotel floor. I understand that a lot of money has been spent on the project, which naturally was officially opened. It is now not only enough to inaugurate a building. Inauguration can seek the atomic structure of the building.

But it so happened that I went into a hall, where a lady judge was patiently hearing a witness. Her hall was stuffy and hot. The windows at a high level could not be opened, and the witness was almost fainting. The judge could not suspend the sitting, but she rightly and justly ordered the witness to feel comfortable, without his jacket and tie. Would it not have been great had a new air-conditioner been installed, and we would have had another inauguration?

Next door, there was a magistrate hearing cases which are hot by their nature. His air-conditioning was also not functioning. He had only one option - to hear the cases in shirt sleeves. There was no impairment of justice in either hall.

The law courts' funds have been depleted to have the fourth floor refurbished. I heard that there are already problems with the electricity and with the safety regulations. New furniture has been installed. And the old furniture? Well, that has been removed to the internal terrace of the third floor, an eyesore for all to see.

I know that this is being written in vain.

Not so in vain...

Two Thursdays ago I was asked to comment, during the launching of the books, on one of the recent publications by Mgr Charles Vella. Dun Charles put a number of questions to which he gave very honest answers. Although he kept strictly to Catholic doctrine, his writing is inspiring enough even to those who may not share the same faith. He also has a lot of compassion for situations that appear to threaten the traditional concepts.

While I was there, members of the gathering commented to me about some paragraphs that I wrote in a recent article entitled 'Beef Olives'. A lady assured me categorically that the advice being given by state agencies to single mothers is to register the child with "father unknown".

When one looks back on what the Cana Movement did for Maltese families, both in teaching and counselling, it was definitely not all in vain. When one examines what is being done when the same services are offered by state agencies, then one has to say that there is very little profit to show.

A former employee of Appogg once said on television that people simply become "files". I would sincerely invite Dun Charles to look into such matters, and then to write his observations. He has a mind of his own and does not mince words. He may be surprised to see a lot of façades and nothing substantial behind.