Tell me, moneybags, I’m dying to know
Well, you have all these ‘sharks’ sending you wonderful brochures on the shares and options with investment opportunities but no one tells you that the long short term investment is simply lousy.

Are you trying to say that all these investment portfolios are a waste of money?
I didn’t say that, but I will say that they are a drain on your money. If you have nothing better to do with it, then the best thing is to go traditional and invest the old-world way.

What do you mean?
Well, look at all the Maltese who have made it to the top. None have ever dabbled with an equity – but they have turned to property and the long-term returns are great.

They buy some land, build it and then sell it and make 300% profit. Not bad eh?
But what about these new offers from these upright businessmen?
Bull****, that’s what they are. These folks have run out of money and now they want to use our money to make an easy buck.
First they go on a high and spend left right and centre and then when the banks start to squeeze, they turn round to the people for the money.

Are you saying that the stock exchange is not a sure way of making money?
No, what I am saying is that the Maltese public has been taken for a ride.
Those that are comfortable and are in no need of extra cash would do well to pay for investor advice and see where to invest. But those with some extra mattress money would do well to stop dreaming.

And who can you suggest for such advice?
That is a very reasonable question and I suggest that you come again with this question when I have come to a conclusion on who exactly is in a position to give you a no holds barred, professional kickstart.

Your letters

When sustainability becomes a catch phrase
From Julian Manduca, Coordinator FoE Malta

Friends of the Earth (Malta) finds it very interesting that the government has adopted the principles of sustainability for tourism development on the recommendation of Tourism Minister Michael Refalo (MT 24 June). We would be very interested to know what this means in real terms.

FoE Malta would be very interested to know how Malta is going to achieve sustainability given Malta’s limited land resources and excessive built up areas. Refalo speaks about sustainability as being "site specific". Surely sustainability means having a holistic vision and looking at the whole picture rather than considering each site individually.

Is Malta going to have some sustainability targets for tourism? Who will prepare them? Will there be a specific timetable? Or is sustainability going to be simply a catch phrase that will mean supporting those building developments that enjoy powerful party political support as has often been the case in the past?

FoE Malta would like to see a proper sustainability plan for tourism and hopes that NGOs will be involved in preparing such a plan.

Until such time that we see a scientifically acceptable plan being put into action we will not take Minister Refalo’s words seriously.

Perhaps Dr. Refalo could make reference to all the building that is going on today, what has been approved for the future and others including golf courses and F1 tracks and explain to the general public how these fit into a sustainable plan that will not leave present or future generations worse off in terms of enjoying open spaces, the countryside, and our beaches?

David Pace replies to Michael Refalo’s letter of last week
From David Pace, Naxxar

Congratulation on adopting the principles of sustainability as guidelines for touristic development; a pity they were not adopted 10 years ago!

Unfortunately, I’ve reached a stage of cynicism and am not impressed by the adoption of new laws or guidelines. I am now impressed by action and I’m seeing precious little of that happening in Malta.

I remember Dr Refalo kneeling and pleading with the Maltese in Sliema to co-operate. If some kind of positive action does occur in the next year, I’ll go one better than Dr Refalo and kiss the ground he stands on.

Criticising the Church
From Victor Mario Abela, Sliema

I am proud to say that I never ever miss buying MaltaToday.

It is a paper worth reading for its contents, independent news, outspoken in its principles, making us reflect on what we read in it.

Today, my main aim is to criticise the Church for refusing to enter EU debate.

As a major force who is there to teach, explain and ascertain the principles of truth, it should enter into the EU debate, criticise what there is to criticise and uphold the advantages it brings. Are we more intelligent than the Pope? Are we afraid to speak out the truth? Are we there only to look and talk and criticise what bands are to play in feasts, what churches are to uphold feasts publicly and that’s it?

Its function is spiritual, but its influence is great. We are not naive, we know that the Maltese hierarchy plays the tune to its own end.

The Church is you and me, we have a right to be guided even at this critical moment.

Let our spiritual leaders stand up and have the courage to lead us to take the right decisions. It was more than once that Pope John Paul encouraged the European nations to unite for the sake of friendship, solidarity and freedom.

Parastatal vs private efficiency and thumb twiddling
From Joe Bonett, Ghajnsielem

I was aghast at the mere Lm2 circa profit per trip registered by Gozo Channel.

I am sure that operators of private trips around the Maltese Islands register more returns per trip. I know one cannot equate the two in many respects, but one thing, private operators are keen on is selling to reach capacity. Sadly, while the fairly modern vessels now operating between Malta and Gozo satisfy the comfort criteria, at times they are fairly empty.

The solution I am sure is not to curtail services, but to promote them more and give incentives for Maltese and even tourists to utilise them in off-peak periods. So to my mind, talk and the partial implementation of scaled down services (such as the mid-day Catamaran inter-island service) just shows a lack of efficient marketing of the product.

And the added discomfort for the remaining few loyal regular users of this service who prefer working full days or summer half days in Malta rather than thumb twiddling in Gozo or reporting home or being at some take-away at 10am (fortunately for our economy, not everyone in Gozo, enjoys these privileges), remains.

Support for Ray Bondin
From Frank Theuma, Secretary, Cottonera Residents’ Association

The committee of the Cottonera Residents Association fully supports Ray Bondin and the Cottonera Rehabilitation Committee’s efforts in restoring and rehabilitating Bormla’s historic places such as St Helen’s Gate, St Paul’s Church and the Polverista Gate.

We are also of the opinion that St Nicholas’ Married Quarters and the surrounding areas should be cleaned from all rubbish and debris and restored to its former glory.