Flourishing
I REFER to the article by your Europe Editor David Wallen, headlined, ''Apathy hits institute's HK forum'' (South China Morning Post, May 21), in which he reported that a Commonwealth Institute conference had been cancelled in London, ''due to lack of interest''.
Whatever the truth of this report, in contrast, the Royal Commonwealth Society, Hong Kong, is flourishing.
This year, our monthly Speaker's Programme has included talks by distinguished speakers on a wide range of topics related to the Commonwealth and Hong Kong: for example, ''The Present Situation in India'', ''The Current Situation in South Africa'', ''TheNew Value of Sport for the Commonwealth'', ''International Relations in the 1990s and Hong Kong: City of the Century''.
Our annual International Essay Competition continues to be highly successful and I am pleased to report that Hong Kong secondary school students are usually very highly placed.
The society was founded in 1983 and its first President was the Chief Justice, Sir Denys Roberts.
He was succeeded by the former Chief Secretary, Sir David Ford.
If any of your readers would like further information about the society they should contact me at Fax No. 525-7941, or our Executive Secretary, Mrs Rozanna Khan, at Fax No. 868-1605.
Dr VERNER BICKLEY, MBE Vice-Chairman Royal Commonwealth Society Hong Kong
