Report marking the end of British rule in Malta uses a survey of the island's history and interviews with Maltese leaders to suggest the course of future developments and to explain why the Labour Party boycotted the independence celebrations.

Critics of the independence agreement consider that the island will remain a British satellite which will be exploited for her base and receive paltry aid in exchange. Labour Party deputy leader claims moreover that the Church has been granted too much power which it is abusing; Archbishop denies these allegations, as does Dr Borg Olivier. Prime Minister outlines his hopes for the future which include friendship with Britain and the development of industry and tourism. Report doubts however whether it will be possible rapidly to transform Malta's economic dependence on the British base (which is being run down) into self-sufficiency based on other revenue. Island is over-crowded and short of water as well as agriculturally and industrially under-developed, and likely to remain dependent on British charity.