First Labour Party legislative initiatives under the 1921 self-government constitution

Abstract

The main aim of this thesis is that of shedding light to the first legislative initiatives undertaken by the Labour Party during the 1921 Self-Government Constitution (1921-1933). Chapter 1 highlights the most important mechanisms of the 1921 Constitution dealing mainly with; the notion of Reserved Matters, which were those competences that fell outside of the realms of the Maltese legislature, the establishment of the bicameral legislature and the division of competences between the Senate and the Legislative Assembly, and also a brief overview of the Proportional Representation by Single Transferable Vote (PRSTV). The second part of the first chapter gives a historical evaluation of the foundation of the Labour Party and also an overview of the first electoral manifestos issued by the party during self-government. Chapter 2 deals with the initiatives undertaken by the Labour Party for the abolishment of the Senate that was always regarded by the Laborites as an undemocratic and conservative institution that functioned as a barrier of social progress. The second part of this chapter gives an insight to the initiatives taken by the Labour Party in favour of a wider recognition of the Maltese language, especially in its introduction in public deeds, law courts, and also in the transcripts of parliamentary debates. Chapter 3 outlines the legislative initiatives undertaken by the Labour Party for the introduction of Compulsory Attendance and later for Compulsory Education in Malta. Chapter 4 deals with the legislative initiatives undertaken by the Labour Party for the introduction of a wider set of rights for the Maltese working class. The main legislative initiatives discussed are: Workmen's Compensation Act, Minimum Wage Bill, Factories Act, Working Hours Regulation Bill, and the first attempts for the introduction of an Old Age Pensions system. Chapter 5 deals with the legislative initiatives undertaken by the Labour Party in favour of rent control. A brief overview to legislation dealing with Workmen’s Dwellings and the Labour representatives input in this sector is also tackled under this chapter. Chapter 6 gives a brief overview of the failures and successes of the Labour Party during the first 12 years from its foundation.