letters
Owners and tenants also responsible
In a letter to the editor, Alex Hung questioned to what degree the government should be involved in the upkeep of dilapidated private buildings ('How much did housing policy contribute to tenement tragedy?', February 17).
Hung thinks the role of the Hong Kong government is simply to ensure that owners meet their responsibility for keeping their buildings safe and habitable. Many people say underprivileged tenants in those buildings need government help, such as providing public housing for the victims. But Hung points out that the victims do not qualify for public housing.
Given the persistently long queue for public housing, it is not fair for the Housing Department to allow a few to jump to the front. The tragedy also reminds us of the ongoing problem of illegally subdivided units in old buildings.
In addition to the government, owners and tenants play a key role in preventing similar tragedies.
Chan Po-ling, SKH Li Fook Hing Secondary School
Honda can save its reputation
Last month, Honda recalled nearly 440,000 vehicles worldwide because of a problem with airbags.
Honda is one of the world's leading carmakers, and the second largest in Japan. But this issue has raised customer concerns over safety.
To regain the public's confidence, Honda must ensure their technology is as good, if not better, then before the problem surfaced.
First, it must hire or train its technicians to exceed the previous standards. Second, Honda must completely overhaul quality control. Third, it should expand factory testing to make sure its cars can run without problems.
Finally, Honda must praise its workers when it restores manufacturing quality to its previous level. Everyone likes to be appreciated, so a satisfied and loyal workforce will strive harder to make Honda the best carmaker in Japan.
Just as the mass media can spread bad news quickly, so it can help Honda by letting the world know that the company put public safety first with its timely product recall.
Ho Suet-ying, Our Lady of the Rosary College
Profit placed before business ethics
It is extremely disappointing that Hong Kong's two main supermarkets have refused appeals to restrict sales of barbecue charcoal.
This decision was made despite a scientific study that both companies participated in showed suicide rates were reduced significantly when charcoal was sold only to customers who requested it.
Both supermarket chains cited restricted space and other excuses for not acting on the study's findings. Officials from both companies turned down requests for meetings with the researchers on the grounds that they were 'too busy'.
These large companies clearly place their financial interests above business ethics. Such an unwillingness to bear social responsibilities is too common among private corporations. They will do anything to maximise profits.
Tracy Lui, Hang Hou
Traditional Chinese ethics not outdated
Many modern people think traditional Chinese ethics are outdated. But do they really know what these are?
Hong Kong students do not have the opportunity to learn Chinese culture in junior forms in secondary schools. If they did, they would soon discover that traditional Chinese ethics are still useful.
For example, traditional ethics encourage people to cherish Nature instead of trying to control it. Chinese ethics also rely on philosophies that teach us how to live wisely and morally.
Our schools would be wise to teach Chinese language and culture in the junior forms.
Kammy Fung, STFA Tam Pak Yu College
