Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1055420
10 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 25 NOVEMBER 2018 THERE is no mistake in con- cluding that the principle au- thor of the Nationalist Party's document Wealth for All in a Society that Cares, is a demog- rapher. If not, the author is somebody enthralled by population statis- tics. The first 37 pages of the 56-page document that PN councillors are expected to en- dorse today, would make an in- teresting geography lesson. The first part of the docu- ment tracks Malta's population growth caused by an influx of foreigners, the country's popu- lation density and how people are aging. It is this extensive analysis of Malta's social and economic standing today that sets the tone for what should be the PN's future direction found in the second half of the docu- ment. But the starting point is a bleak picture of a country bursting at the seams with pop- ulation growth that is the root cause of problems such as lack of security, rising house prices, congested roads, a deteriora- tion in the Maltese language, low wages, a degraded environ- ment, polluted air and a widen- ing gap between rich and poor. Although the problems flagged in the document have a basis in reality, the negative picture painted suggests Malta is fast becoming what President Donald Trump would describe as a "shithole country". Not just about corruption In his foreword, PN leader Adrian Delia mentions the im- portance of his party acting as an "alternative to government", which in some ways marks the difference between him and his predecessor, whose emphasis on corruption almost rendered the PN a one-issue party. The document covers a wide spectrum of policy areas and corruption features minimal- ly. Corruption only gets six mentions. "This document is not in- tended to delve specifically into the corruption that has characterised the Labour gov- ernment from its very start," the document reads. It does, however, link cor- ruption allegations to the reputational problems Malta faces as a result of the Pilatus Bank saga and other scandals linked to the financial services sector. It blames government's lack of action over serious matters such as the most recent 17 Black revelations for the repu- tational damage. But the document also at- tributes increased difficulties people and companies face to access credit from banks to the reputational problems, even though the banking sector world-wide has faced addition- al regulatory impositions from international and European bodies. Joseph's ideology The document accuses the government of ignoring the im- pact its immigration policy has on society – it even describes Joseph Muscat's cosmopoli- tanism as "an ideology" based on the notion that people are citizens of the world and have a right to work and live in any country they want. The document argues that the Labour Party went from cham- pioning the living wage before 2013 to adopting a cheap la- bour policy in government. The influx of foreigners is depressing wages and on the flipside causing house prices and rents to rise, the document argues. And this is creating an imbal- ance of wealth because while the economy is growing, fewer people are benefitting from the goods. Within this context, the PN is calling for "a paradigm shift" but how this will be achieved is not yet clear enough. The document contains very few concrete policy measures, although there is a disclaimer at the start by secretary gen- eral Clyde Puli, who insists the document is not intended as a manifesto or electoral pro- gramme. Tax cuts The clearest direction can be found in a few proposals such as a proposal to cut income tax, especially for certain sec- tors like those who pay 35% on dividends from companies registered on the Malta Stock Exchange and a pledge to pay back money overcharged in utility bills. Other proposals include the creation of a Gozo regional authority with no indication whether this will be an elective body. It also proposes local councils with the capability to address social issues and the ring-fenc- ing of a portion of VAT and commercial licences collected from a locality for use in that ANALYSIS PN GENERAL COUNCIL COURT NOTICE The Registrar, Civil Courts and Tribunals notifies that the First Hall of the Civil Court ordered the sale by Judicial Auction of the following property to be held in the corridors of the Courts of Justice, Republic Street, Valletta. Date Time Judicial Sale No Property 6th December 2018 11.00am 24/18 - JGL Farrugia Jesmond ID: 507171M vs Ellul Giuseppa ID: 675537M Property which includes a portion of land occupied by two farms without number, one known as 'Farmhouse tar-Riħ' and the other known as 'Catherine's Domain', in tar-Riħ in territory known as tal-Madliena, in the part known as l-Munxar, ta' Gidem, and ta' Newma limits of Ħad-Dingli, bounded on the south by Triq l-Irdum formely known as Dingli Cliffs Road, on the East in part by property of the Government of Malta and in part by property of the heirs of the late Notary Joseph Felix Abela and others, on the West by a public road for the price of €2,300,000 as said in the judgement given on the 27th October, 2017 by Judge Hon. Joseph Azzopardi Application number 1091/12. 6th December 2018 11.30am 104/98 - JGL Azzopardi Joseph et pro et noe vs Zammit Raymond Dr. Noe et The tenement numbered 402 in Triq San Pawl, San Pawl il-Baħar situated corner with Triq Stella Maris valued at €170,000. The tenement numbered 404 in Triq San Pawl, San Pawl il-Baħ ar consists of a groundfloor property with underlying basement valued at €140,000. The tenement numbered 405 in Triq San Pawl, San Pawl il-Baħ ar consists of a groundfloor property with underlying basement valued at €140,000. 11th December 2018 11.30am 14/15 - EM Vella Joseph ID 372031M vs Abela Carmen ID 515256M Portion of Land situated in a corner,of area of circa 97 metres squared. The Land confines from the North East with Triq iċ- Ċawsli and from the South East with Lane number 4 with Triq il- Kbira, Żabbar valued at €197,000. Further details can be obtained from the website: http://www.justiceservices.gov.mt/courtservices/JudicialSales/search.aspx The bidders taking part in the auction must present their identity card. Gaetana Aquilina For the Registrar of Civil Courts and Tribunals It's a long-term plan, Adrian Delia's first political mark on the Nationalist Party is in essence a reaction to Joseph Muscat's cosmopolitanism. KURT SANSONE analyses the political document PN councillors are expected to approve today Kristy Debono on PN's new policy outlook In his foreword, PN leader Adrian Delia mentions the importance of his party acting as an "alternative to government", which in some ways marks the difference between him and his predecessor, whose emphasis on corruption almost rendered the PN a one-issue party