The Anti-Divorce Movement this afternoon presented its case to Labour leader Joseph Muscat and spokesman Evarist Bartolo, at the PL headquarters in Hamrun.

The movement paid the PL a visit as part of their campaign.

Chairman Andre Camilleri said the aim of the group was to explain the effects of divorce on society. This, he said, had a negative effect where it was introduced and the movement was concerned that the whole issue had been handled too hastily.

He reiterated the group did not agree that the referendum question reflected the reality of the divorce that could be introduced.

The state, he said, had a responsibility to educate people about divorce but this could not be done as the motion said that public funds would not be used in campaign. This was very irresponsible.

The movement, he said, feared that children would be the most affected and that the entry of divorce would lead to poverty in some sectors.

Mr Camilleri welcomed the fact that PL was allowing a free vote but said he had spoken to Labourites who felt uncomfortable by statements made in the Labour media.

Labour leader Joseph Muscat reiterated his position in favour of divorce but said he was proud to say that his party was allowing MPs to decide according to conscience. The same, he said, applied to any Labourite.

"The party will not put pressure on anyone to change position.

"No matter what the result will be, I will respect it.

"I will not go against the will of the population.

"In the legislation this will be case closed," he said.

Dr Muscat said that everyone agreed with the need for a family policy and pointed out that financial problems were a major cause of marriage breakdown.

So far, he said, the state had abdicated from carrying out marriage preparation courses and left everything solely in the hands of Cana.

But a quarter of marriages are solely civil and the people involve were not getting any preparation.

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