Malta cannot live on its own […] the island could pay for only one fifth of her food and essential imports; well over a quarter of the present labour force would be out of work and the economy of the country would collapse without British Treasury subventions. Talk of full independence for Malta is therefore hopelessly impractical.

The Times, 7 January 1959 (five years later, Malta gained independence)

See also: 01 02 || 01 02