I refer to the article National Poet Commemorated On 50th Anniversary Of His Death (October 17). The journalist wrote “… but it was in the 1940s that the poem was officially recognised as the national anthem…” True; the colonial administration in Malta had agreed to the Maltese request for a national anthem but the Colonial Office in England dictated that this was a concession without any prejudice to the God Save The King.
Unfortunately, the Colonial Office rose in stubborn opposition to this concession. Presumably, filled with jingoistic sentiments, they arrogantly considered this concession as an “unbearable” offence.
It was more significant that they dragged the polemic from 1941 to 1943 during the worst bombardments of the war, ignoring Maltese merit of the award of the George Cross.
They wanted the playing of the hymn to be restricted to musical performances but not in cinemas and theatrical performances like the God Save The King: that had to retain its pre-eminent position.
They emphasised that the national anthem for Malta was the one and only God Save The King. They emphasised that no one should suggest that it is of equal importance to the British anthem; nor should the Maltese play it before the God Save The King because it would be resented.
They went further. They gave specific instructions to the BBC and to the naval authorities not to include it in their programmes. They also put pressure on the pro-British newspapers in Malta insisting that they should use the title hymn of Malta but certainly not Maltese national anthem.
They also confirmed their decision with the popular band clubs emphasising that they should consider it a popular hymn.
The wise brains of the Colonial Office in England did not heed the words of opposition that were expressed by General Sir David Campbell.
This Governor of Malta (1931-1936) diplomatically and laconically rebuked the argument of the Colonial Office with the words: “It would cause offence in Malta.” Godfrey Pirotta has also discussed the topic extensively; like me he showed genuine resentment at such colonial attitude.
In my younger days, at 15, I witnessed another incident concerning the Maltese national anthem. This happened at the Empire Stadium in Gżira. In September 1945, Hajduk Split of Yugoslavia played against an All Malta selection that included a number of British players. Before the referee whistled the start of the game, all players and spectators stood to attention to listen in respect to the God Save The King. When the spectators realised that the band played only the British national anthem, impulsively they burst into vociferous singing of the Innu Malti. At the end the crowd broke into a continuous applause, clapping and shouting, to give vent to their anger.
The unexpected gesture revealed the Maltese determination to fulfil the strident development of nationalism. However, no colonial administrator made any effort to change the situation: that is not until Independence in 1964.