Why government's decision is right

Amid all the hype generated by the visit of the mv Doulos, the fact remains that Edwin Vassallo, the parliamentary secretary, was right in his decision not to give a trading licence for the sale of books from the ship in direct competition with local booksellers.

The Doulos has misunderstood Maltese religious traditions in attempting to evangelise an island where a forceful messenger of Christianity had also arrived by ship, some 2,000 years ago, to preach to the natives with more convincing supernatural credentials.

Paul's was a Christian faith that gave homage to the Mother of Christ, whom the tracts being given away by the Doulos and the religious books being sold totally ignore.

A young well-intentioned girl signing herself Matalia last week sent her drawing of Our Lady and Holy Child to the Doulos with a message "God bless mv Doulos in Malta" and this has been displayed in the shop-deck; when I asked one of the rather young crew if she believed in the Virgin Mary she replied they considered her only as the mother of Jesus as mentioned in the Bible.

Those who have written that the Doulos should have been allowed to sell books freely because these can be easily ordered through the internet have failed to remember that books could always be ordered through the post previously and even now are sent to customers by mail not e-mail.

The Duolos does not sell at all any current publications available on the internet at prices lower than those fixed by the publishers as obviously this would not be allowed by the publishers who provide the books nor is it in their interest.

Also, assertions made that once Malta joins the EU anyone can set up shop here are quite baseless arguments. Maltese trading laws will still prevail.

The staff of the Doulos have shown a certain arrogance that has been fuelled by the local media, wherein some columnists, who have not bothered to investigate, have vented their misguided emotions rather than shown sense.

The Duolos took the gullible public for a ride by asking for donations for books selected and pocketing the full price.

They also set up stalls on the waterfront for which they had no permit. Not unlike, in fact, if Sicilian or Tunisian fishermen or others had to start selling their fish at the Customs House jetty without a licence; the argument being these should be allowed to do so as people should be free to buy food for sustenance anyhow.

Besides, many of the books on sale aboard the Doulos are remainders which are also available in bookshops in Malta, some at approximate prices and some even much cheaper locally, despite the high costs of shipment and running expenses facing Maltese booksellers.

Books by the American publishing firm of McGraw-Hill were openly out on display aboard the Doulos - which, it must be recalled, wanted to sell books - although these carried the stamp stating: "For donation only - not to be sold".

Many of those who have been writing have absolutely no idea of the real situation. The ship arrived at the appropriate time when schools were selecting book prizes for the annual end-of-term presentations so that business would be taken from local booksellers who are able to provide identical stocks to schools at equally low prices.

Mr Vassallo was applying the law and defending local enterprises, and one hopes he will be supported when similar problems arise in the future and not be opposed because some think erroneously they will be able to take some personal advantage.

In no way was he depriving people from buying books at affordable prices as these can be acquired locally on the same terms.

The Maltese are generous when they are called upon to help the missions and many Maltese priests sacrifice their lives for others in far away lands.

The Maltese public would have supported the Doulos had the crew sought to raise funds for its Operation Mobilisation with activities like singing concerts or something similar aboard ship without the need to confront authority with a certain contempt for Maltese laws, traditions and the livelihood of Maltese traders.