Talkback

Q Should performing animals be allowed in Hong Kong?

I find it amazing that in a city where so much emphasis is placed on cute animals and toys, the public would be willing to pay to see real animals perform. Yet again Hong Kong displays a complete disregard for animal welfare.

These circuses have been banned in many other places, including Singapore. There are many alternative shows which are just as enjoyable.

What next? Bear-baiting? Some good old-fashioned cock-fighting? Personally I'd like to see a Hello Kitty circus - let's see how cute she looks strung up to the ceiling juggling a few beach balls!

Ashley Worthington, Tsuen Wan

Q Is it worth the cost of scrapping the Central reclamation?

Hong Kong is a big city with many resources. Why don't we try more creative approaches to solving its traffic problems?

Limiting the number of vehicles in Central by having a quota around peak hours is the kind of measure that is widely practised in many big cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Paris. The result is quite promising.

We can also further limit vehicle registrations. There will be another road shortage in the future if we don't do this.

If there is really an urgent demand for more highways to ease the traffic problems around Central, could we build one similar to the Tsing Ma Bridge to minimise the reclamation work? We can make some small man-made islands in order to build columns to support the highways.

Hongkongers are creative. Why can't we suggest alternatives to our government? Victoria Harbour is our invaluable heritage.

Ken Chan Ka-shing, Mongkok

Q What is the best way to combat teenage pregnancies?

'Boys, please be responsible!' I almost couldn't help myself shouting it out as I waited outside the doctor's surgery one year ago. My friend had fallen pregnant due to an 'accident' by her boyfriend. How apprehensive she looked before she entered the surgery. She was just 16.

Teenage pregnancies have become a social problem as teenagers of today are much more open-minded than before.

In my opinion, it also reflects the immaturity of teenagers nowadays. The majority of them are reckless, not considering the consequences of their actions. But after the dance they must pay the piper. It is usually too late already when the day of reckoning comes. Many boys are so irresponsible that they ignore the situation or just tell the girls to have an abortion without giving any money or psychological support.

Sex education is not enough. Think seriously, no matter whether you are a boy or a girl - how would you feel and how would you deal with the problem of an unwanted pregnancy?

Ginnevere Christy, Kwun Tong

Teen pregnancy is a matter of grave concern. It is a problem related to maturity.

The immature, who don't take advice seriously, will find it easy to lapse into irresponsibility and they won't be able to resist the temptation of romance.

Some parents are too occupied with their jobs and they have no time for their children. Out of loneliness and curiosity, those youngsters may seek the company of the opposite sex. They may deem their parents old-fashioned and be unwilling to seek help or advice from them.

The best possible approach in order to tackle the problem is to instil in children the attitude that they have to pay a heavy price for what they do, and that one false step will bring everlasting grief.

Parents should spend more time with their children, listening and talking to them, since there may not be many warning signs before tragedy happens. Seeing things from their children's perspective may help them to gain a better understanding of what they really need. Above all, parents should show them attention, concern and love.

Vivian Lee Nai Yung, Tsuen Wan

Q Should remand centre inmates be allowed to order gourmet food?

Remand centres are places for suspects to stay while waiting for trial, and the people in them have not yet been proven guilty.

I do not think anyone has the right to restrain such a person from having an enjoyable meal. Such a move would be without regard to their human rights.

A suspect being detained in a criminal case must be very unhappy.

Life is already boring in the remand centre - how much duller would it be without any joy to be had in eating? There is also the possibility that a remanded person is virtuous and has not committed a crime. Why punish an innocent person just because they were unlucky enough to have become a suspect?

Remand centre guests should be allowed to order gourmet food as a matter of equality.

Ivy So, Kwai Chung

Q Should buffalo be left to roam freely on Lantau?

We cannot predict when buffalo will become aggressive. But I do not think it is necessary to kill them off. Before a buffalo centre can be built, we can set up hedges as a way of restraining them.

The hedges would be a way to surround areas where buffalo wander. Then the animals would be confined to a specific area out of people's reach. This would not only preserve these wonderful creatures, but also establish another characteristic for Lantau.

The buffalo add a little nature to Hong Kong. Perhaps they will lead people from overseas to think more highly of Hong Kong.

Cindy Cheung, Kwun Tong

I have been taking my young family to the beach at Tai O for many years. But we were saddened to learn of the plight of the water buffalo and the extreme measures used to subdue them. Never have we been frightened by the buffalo, they seem gentle and docile.

Dog faeces and casual spitters create more of a health hazard than the natural fertiliser produced by these animals. This situation sounds more like village heads in fear of losing land and therefore creating an issue. It is unfortunate that officials have declined to comment on their capture or what is to become of the buffalo.

Phillip Walker, Pokfulam

We heard recently that there were plans to kill the water buffalo on Lantau. One has to ask what will be gained from this action? Will Lantau country park become a better place? Will the roads be safer? The answer has to be no.

The buffalo have been on Lantau for many years. Not only do they contribute to the novelty of visiting Lantau for tourists, I am sure that they make a positive impact on the ecosystem. To watch the buffalo by the water as the sun goes down is a fantastic sight.

In fact, the Asian buffalo are bigger than the African buffalo (one of the Big Five game animals of Africa) which tourists flock to see every year.

How many people can boast of having seen such an animal while visiting a world famous city?

I heard recently on the radio reports of buffalo obstructing the roads in Sai Kung. However, having lived on Lantau for eight years now, I could count on one hand the number of times buffalo have been on the road - each time they have ambled off having met the bus or car that I was travelling in.

There are numerous warning signs that cattle may be encountered on the highway.

The buffalo do not cause problems on the road, it is the drivers that do not heed the signs. If anything, the buffalo help slow down traffic that too often exceeds the speed limit.

I wonder what reasons there are for murdering these beautiful animals. Has somebody been bitten by one? Are the buffalo posing a health issue? Are they a proven highway hazard?

Karl Whitehead, Sheung Wan