A speech can't be valuable because it is free if it is false or inconsequential. Hong Kong's colonial legacy of 'free speech' involves double standards in how a statement made voluntarily may claim to be truthful and become effective for official purposes. Christians can file affidavits by swearing on the Bible, but 'heathens' are denied the right to have their statements admitted as truthful and effective by swearing on their holy scriptures.

For the unwitting, colonialism is delusive because it practices inequalities while advertising high-sounding ideals. Isabel Escoda should recognise Jose Rizal's execution by a Spanish firing squad as a pathetic tale of misplaced faith in colonialism ('Colonial history rewritten', March 30).

Rizal shunned insurgency and supported colonialism, hoping for the colonial masters' reforms to be sensible and fair. In contrast, Zheng Chenggong (aka Koxinga), also a descendant of Chinese patrilineality and Japanese matrilineality like Rizal, expelled Dutch colonialists from Taiwan by winning the first major sea battle in the protracted East-West conflicts that were to follow.

Zheng is a lasting inspiration of decolonisation. If Rizal had acted like Zheng, the Philippines could be better developed like Taiwan nowadays.

Ms Escoda should also note that Barack Obama's Dreams from My Father was written by an American with little direct connection with Kenya. The Mau Mau uprising, while hardly mentioned in the autobiography, involved atrocities so widespread that Obama's relatives in Kenya could not have escaped the periodunscathed.

In Imperial Reckoning, Harvard historian Caroline Elkins recalls that, misled by British propaganda, her original intention was 'to write a history of the success of Britain's civilising mission in the detention camps of Kenya'. But as she discovered meticulous destruction of records and massive evidence of atrocities, she had to rewrite history to expose colonial Britain's duplicity and brutality. Rewriting colonial history is a must in the decolonisation process.

Julia Kwong, Mid-Levels

Grandfather tortured by the British

I refer to the letter by Isabel Escoda ('Colonial history rewritten', March 30).

She claims that US President Barack Obama's grandfather was well treated and happy with the British colonialists. In fact, he was part of the Kenyan independence movement when he was arrested in 1949 and jailed for two years.

His family alleges that he was brutally tortured by his British guards to extract information about the insurgency. He was permanently scarred, and became (how to blame him?) deeply anti-British.

About the other point raised by Ms Escoda, yes, Jose Rizal was a pacifist and wanted independence by peaceful means. But this is far from what Ms Escoda claims about him 'preferring his country to remain under Spain'.

Angelo Paratico, Sheung Wan

Designate sites for protests

Given the number of and liking for protests in Hong Kong, both officially and unofficially (for example in the side streets of Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei), maybe it is time for venues to be provided specifically for these events on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and in the New Territories.

Bookings may be required so that different groups of protesters can get their fair share of attention, at no cost (except perhaps for cleaning up the litter and burnt effigies that each group leaves behind), with repeat users getting priority (for example, for June 4 memorials), and press access to be encouraged and facilitated.

This will minimise the mobilisation of police and security personnel, the transport of barricades, the semblance of hostility.

The protesters get heard, the press can get their coverage without being knocked down (as has happened in the Sun Hung Kai Properties affair), the uninvolved public can go about their business, and the traffic flow will be unimpeded.

This should be a win-win situation for all.

Jessie Tong, Melbourne, Australia

Annual event makes people more aware

Earth Hour 2012 took place at 8.30pm in Hong Kong on March 31.

During this period famous city landmarks such as the Tsing Ma Bridge and International Finance Centre switched off their lights, including lighting displays.

This event showed that more people now support aspirations to lead a low-carbon lifestyle.

Even a simple action such as switching lights off for one hour can make a difference for our damaged planet.

The annual Earth Hour event organised by WWF plays an important role in building up Hong Kong people's eco-awareness.

It can raise public concerns about global climate change and help to educate citizens about the importance of saving energy.

In the past, most people did not think much about saving energy.

They used air conditioners indiscriminately in the summer and kept electrical appliances plugged in at home even when they were not in use.

The problem of energy shortages is global.

We all now need to pay attention to green issues and try to aim for sustainable lifestyles.

I hope that more citizens will show a greater environmental awareness in the future.

Kelly Lam Wing-sum, Kowloon Bay

Standard hours are so important

The minimum wage legislation has been in force since last May.

I think it is the right time to have another look at the legislation, under which the minimum hourly rate has been set at HK$28. It is hard to believe that this sum can ensure a decent standard of living for people from the grass roots.

However, we have take care, as a high increase in the rate could fuel inflation. A number of labour organisations have claimed that the minimum wage should be higher than HK$35 so that workers can meet their daily necessities. However, I think even a rise from HK$28 to HK$35 would, in percentage terms, be higher than most people have enjoyed in Hong Kong when their salaries have been raised.

We should not see a higher rate as being a panacea for all ills and help to deal with the problems that people on low incomes experience. I would rather see the government bring in more schemes that lower prices of goods and deal with monopolies that exist in the city.

I would also like to see standard working hours established for workers. Too many people work long hours and this is damaging their health. Having standard hours could reduce conflict between workers and bosses.

The most important thing for the government is to strike the right balance and ensure the welfare of employees in Hong Kong.

It is important to consider the needs of all stakeholders in society.

Andy Chan Tsz-on, Hang Hau

HK housing policy needs change

Since the handover in 1997 Hong Kong has continued to face a serious problem with housing and the wide gap between rich and poor.

Hence, there was nothing wrong with the housing policies adopted by the first chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, which offered a viable solution.

Unfortunately, his successor Donald Tsang Yam-kuen was not prepared to continue with these policies and adopted an approach that was influenced by the rich and powerful property developers.

With Leung Chun-ying now having been voted in as the next chief executive, I hope he will opt for the same kind of flexible and pragmatic approach as Tung in the interests of social justice and harmony.

Political differences aside, it now appears appropriate for the pan-democrats to ease their confrontational approach.

This would enable them to be permitted to visit the mainland as Chinese nationals.

Peter Wei, Kwun Tong