Two recent snippets of news make me wonder what makes Malta tick. The first regards the palm tree red weevil. Why has it taken the powers that be so long to take the necessary drastic action?
While we are playing about with registrations, private ownership and the cost of the removal of diseased palms, the weevil is still spreading. In the area of St Paul's Bay there are a number of sick palms - some easily visible, others less so. Two palm trees, never pruned, lie dead near the St Paul's Chapel. More trees can be seen in various areas in Qawra. On the road that leads from Salina to Naxxar, behind a high wall, one can discern another dead tree.
God forbid if Malta was to be faced by an epidemic. By the time the authorities wake up from their lethargy all the population would have been infected. Admittedly, the removal of these trees costs money but for a private person who has only one or two trees, already dead, it does not matter. In present parlance he does not care.
Therefore draconian measures are called for. As soon as a sick tree is identified an official notice should be affixed on the said tree or the door of the property giving the owner not more than three days to remove it and burn it under official supervision.
If he does not obey the order, than the authorities should remove it themselves and present the owner with the bill. In dubious cases the government should still reserve the right to sue any of the owners.
The second regards the mushrooming gambling sites. Who controls the ages to the punters? Who cares about monetary problems in families? What are the various organisations doing? While the Cabinet required many months to move, more and more people are falling victim. Once again, drastic and draconian actions are called for. The government should immediately issue a temporary moratorium and close all such outlets, say for six months. Hopefully by then the right formula would have been found.
Seeing how children are (not) restrained in bars and discos, I wonder who will be able to ensure proper control. What will be the deterrent on owners? A minimal fine suspended for two years?
Culprits should not be pampered. Heavy fines and closure should be imposed from the very first instance.
The law should not leave any margin for the courts to bypass this serious problem.
What are Sedqa, Appoġġ, the Church, etc, doing. They all must stand up and be seen. A pinball machine is one thing, a gambling machine that gives winnings is a different thing altogether.