And what is Mr Tsang's prime justification for building government headquarters there? Not that it is the best use of the site, not that it is necessary for good governance, or that it will help the people or enhance the harbour. Above all, it would create job opportunities, he said.

As Monitor columnist Jake van der Kamp has noted, this is not a rational basis for deciding on infrastructure projects - if it were, we should simply commission the building of a tunnel to Antarctica, which would surely 'create job opportunities'. Also, it would do so for much longer than the government headquarters project, and would not mess with our foreshores.

Mr Tsang says that the estimated cost of the project will be $4.85 billion. Even assuming the project comes within budget, this will amount to 25 per cent of a year's revenues.

I have questions for Mr Tsang. Do you really think that this is a responsible use of taxpayers' money? What other uses for the Tamar site were considered, and where are the results of those considerations? Where are the design parameters on which the estimates were made? How does this government headquarters fit in with the overall refurbishment and beautification of Hong Kong's harbour?

Are you really that much in the pocket of the construction industry that you must build an unnecessary headquarters on Hong Kong's best harbour-front site, just for some short-term jobs? If so, why not instead build a tunnel to Antarctica?

PETER FORSYTHE, Discovery Bay

Triad boy shows problem

It is alarming that a 13-year-old boy was arrested because he claimed to be a triad member ('Boy, 13, arrested in police blitz on triad members', Sunday Morning Post, July 31).

Nowadays, children learn faster than when we were young. They mature quicker than expected. But they are not mature enough.

Many of them think illogically, and learn the wrong things. Today, one can see teenagers smoking on the street, using foul language and fighting in public. Yet our society will depend on these children when they grow older. Can we trust them?

We must use education to prevent violence and a bad culture from engulfing our city. It is not only the responsibility of schools to educate the young, but parents. They should spend more time with their children rather than just working. A family filled with love and care will automatically teach children to be good.

HAMILTON CHAN, Tsing Yi

Respect donors

Li Ka-shing's $1 billion donation to the University of Hong Kong stirred a huge controversy over a conflict between renaming a faculty and such generosity. Under scrutiny also is the donation by Henry Fok Ying-tung to the University of Science and Technology.

No doubt, the donations will facilitate the culture of private donations to universities. But how should we view the arguments aroused?

The gifts support higher education and health services, both pillars of our community. Instead of rejecting the donations, alumni doctors led by legislator Kwok Ka-ki had to thank Mr Li. Neither a narrowing of academic freedom nor unreasonable strings attached can we see from the donation.

Our universities, facing funding cuts, are under financial pressure. They cannot raise their standing by refusing donations. No reasonable opposition should be encouraged. And donors are innocents in suffering from a renaming controversy. Don't we want a harmonious society as suggested by Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen?

I strongly disagree with making all current issues political. Not only does this mislead the public, it detracts from the betterment of society. The opposition to renaming that involved a row by former students and the public was a farce. It is time to be rational, respecting donors and securing Hong Kong's future as a knowledge-based society.

Y. K. MAU, Hunghom

Helicopters ARE noisy

Sandra Mak of the Regional Heliport Working Group is making an absurd claim when she says that noise from helicopters at the proposed Wan Chai heliport 'will be hardly noticeable' (August 3).

She should try relaxing at the waterfront in the vicinity of the Macau ferry pier, where any chance of sitting quietly is constantly interrupted by helicopters landing on the roof.

The last thing we need is more unnecessary noise pollution, especially along the waterfront. Perhaps the working group has not yet noticed that the people of Hong Kong are trying desperately to claim back the waterfront for their own use and peaceful enjoyment.

Heliports are far from 'essential and desirable for Hong Kong' or 'all for the good of the wider Hong Kong community', as Ms Mak claims. On the contrary, the use of helicopters by a privileged few is inconsiderate and selfish behaviour and unnecessary, bearing in mind that public transport in Hong Kong and across the border is excellent and improving.

In other cosmopolitan cities where helicopter use has become common, citizens' groups are fighting back against the constant noise and the authorities are facing increasing pressure to curtail helicopter activity. Hong Kong should not repeat the mistakes of these cities by building more heliports and encouraging helicopter flights.

P. A. CRUSH, Sha Tin

Speak more English

Hong Kong is wonderful. The roads are wide and clean. Drivers are conscious of other traffic. Shopping malls are neat and clean, and connect conveniently to buses and the MTR. Hospital staff are courteous and kind, and attentive to your problems.

But the biggest, urgent problem is communication. English is frequently spoken in most parts of the world, but in Hong Kong we find it very difficult to explain ourselves. The education system must try to inculcate more spoken English in children.

COLLEEN TRAYNOR, Tsuen Wan

Not all are unmoved

I refer to the article 'India's Muslims unmoved by terror ideology' (Sunday Morning Post, July 24). The reason for the headline, says the article, is India's democratic traditions. But aren't the US, Britain and Spain democratic? Then why have Muslims in these nations been drawn towards terrorism?

Long before the London and Madrid bombings, India's financial capital Mumbai was rocked by bombs that killed nearly 500 people. India's most wanted man, Dawood Ibrahim, a Muslim, was directly involved in the 1993 attacks. Bombings in other cities have involved Muslims.

Of course, they represent a small percentage of the population. Besides, the richest Indian, Azim Premji, is a Muslim, and India's president is also a Muslim. He is a distinguished scholar, scientist and patriot. But it is also true that segments of India's Muslim minority, as elsewhere, are deeply influenced by fanatical elements.

KISHORI LAL, Sheung Wan