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Letters

Would delay for stray dog be acceptable?
I am a dog lover and I keep dogs. I feel sad that a stray dog was killed by a train on a track on the MTR network.
However, some people have blown the incident out of proportion.
We have to be realistic. The former KCR network has a high-voltage overhead system.
If station staff were expected to catch a dog with a long pole and hoop at the end, the power would have to be switched off to ensure their safety.
However, if it was accepted that professional help would be needed to get the dog, it would surely take between 30 minutes and one hour before the dog catcher could make it to the station.
With the first scenario, you are talking of a train service delay of 15 minutes and for the second option, at least 45 minutes.
Would the many passengers who use the MTR accept even a 15-minute delay because of a stray dog? And what would be the reaction of passengers if there was such a delay in the middle of rush hour?
The case for justifying such a delay appears to be very weak, even to a dog lover like me.
All we can expect the MTR Corporation to do in this case is to locate what is presumably a hole in the fence along the side of the track through which the dog entered and seal it off.
It does not seem fair to finger-point and blame station staff. I hope common sense will prevail in discussion of this incident.
Dennis Li, Mid-Levels
 
MTR Corp should have halted trains
Photos of the incident of the stray dog which was killed on the MTR track showed it trying to jump on the platform and staff trying to help it.
I think the MTR Corporation has to accept responsibility for what happened.
Why didn't it halt the trains and continue its efforts to try and rescue the dog?
This would have resulted in inconvenience for some passengers, but I think most of them would have accepted this if it meant that a life could be saved.
Animal-lovers were unhappy with what happened and left flowers on the platform as a tribute to the dead animal. There was also an online campaign which collected thousands of signatures.
I realise that such incidents are rare.
However, the MTR Corp must learn from this and take whatever additional measures are necessary to ensure animals do not get onto the track.
Karen Chan Tsz-ting, Sham Shui Po
 
Jersey's toxic waste problem a warning
I refer to the letter by Chan Fung-chun ("Superficial platitudes on waste", August 26) berating Elvis W. K. Au, assistant director of environmental protection, on the limited landfill space in Hong Kong.
Having just returned from my home in Jersey, in the Channel Islands, for a summer holiday, I was perplexed and interested in the similar situation there regarding a recently constructed energy-from-waste incinerator. The disposal of the waste ash does not seem to have been properly addressed.
A report in the Jersey Evening Post [in 2012] said the island may require an additional reclamation site "if a solution is not found to deal with the island's toxic ash".
This ash came from burning waste in the incinerator. It was buried in lined pits that were close to capacity.
The paper said that "the move has sparked strong criticism from environmental campaign groups, who fear that the toxic substance could eventually leak into the sea".
This is becoming a major problem for the tiny island of Jersey, and I have been following the for-and-against arguments for our own incinerator here in Hong Kong with the proposed siting in Shek Kwu Chau.
For Jersey, it may well be that there will be two islands soon, one for the inhabitants and one, getting increasingly large every year, for the toxic waste.
Peter Keeping, Causeway Bay
 
Protests in Central will turn violent
The Occupy Central movement will set Hong Kong on the road to disaster, and will be the coup de grace.
Shops and restaurants will lose business, and traffic will be brought to a standstill.
The police will have a difficult time controlling so many people and I have no doubt the protests will turn violent.
I would urge everyone to stay away from these demonstrations, and certainly don't take children - they could be crushed in the crowds.
J. Fleming, Mong Kok
 
Steep wage hike leads to high inflation
The statutory hourly minimum wage has proved to be controversial.
The debate has mainly centred on trying to strike a balance between the interests of the underprivileged and of the business sector.
The latter group would accept a rise of HK$2 to HK$32 and I think this is the sum that would be favoured by most stakeholders.
The Minimum Wage Commission has been told that an increase of HK$3 would cost employers an extra HK$1.4 billion a year. This would place a heavy burden on companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises.
These firms already have to deal with skyrocketing rents.
If they were forced to pay too high an increase in the minimum wage, some of them would have no choice but to dismiss some employees and Hong Kong would show an increase in the jobless rate.
The most vulnerable in society would be the ones who would suffer.
I accept that increasing the minimum wage can, in a marginal way, reduce the disparity between the rich and poor in society, but the main factor behind the disparity is the continuing increase in flat prices, which appears to be unstoppable.
If it wants to narrow the wealth gap, the government should introduce measures aimed at lowering second-hand flat prices, such as dealing with the problem of shortage of land.
This is likely to be more effective than a higher minimum wage and will also enable the SMEs to stay afloat.
Unionists have called for an increase to the minimum wage as high as just under HK$40.
If the government sanctioned this, it would lead to a higher inflation rate.
People on low incomes might be guaranteed this much higher minimum wage, but they would then face higher prices right across the board.
The increase in the minimum wage, up till now, has not been able to outstrip increases in prices and inflation.
The smaller rise proposed by the business sector seems to offer the best solution.
It can lead to a slight improvement in the living standards of the underprivileged, while also ensuring job security.
It would also be an affordable option for small and medium-sized enterprises, which could stay in business.
Thomas Tsoi, Ma On Shan
 
Pension for rich and poor is not feasible
I am against the proposed implementation of a universal pension scheme in Hong Kong.
According to the proposal announced last week, employers and employees would have to pay what would be, in effect, a "payroll old-age tax".
For some employees, the contribution could be as high as 2.5 per cent of their salaries. This would increase the financial burden imposed on them.
Also, it is suggested that all Hong Kong citizens over 65 would get a monthly pension of HK$3,000. This would be given out without any means test.
I believe this would violate the principle of efficient allocation of the government's financial resources.
Surely these resources should be targeting those old people who are in need.
Also, it would not encourage people to plan properly for their retirement if they had the misconception they would get this HK$3,000 a month from the government and that it would be enough for their old age.
This kind of pension scheme would impose a heavy financial burden on the government and could hinder the city's economic development.
These universal pensions were one of the reasons for the European debt crisis, which began in 2008.
All individuals should be responsible for their own retirement.
The government's role should be to help only those who have not been able to prepare financially for their old age, such as the disabled, and people with chronic illnesses.
It should not be offering a pension that will be given to everyone, whether they are rich or poor and irrespective of how much they contributed during their working lives.
Lorna Chui Ming-wai, Tsuen Wan
 
We all must be aware of online security
I agree with correspondents who have expressed concern about hackers and cyberattacks in Hong Kong.
People have to become more knowledgeable about security when they are online if they want to protect their personal information.
They need to recognise that hackers can use computer viruses to get that information. These viruses can be sent via different programs and files.
Hackers can get hold of people's names, contact phone numbers, birthdays and even their identity card number.
It is important to take care when downloading material. Before creating an account with a company, read the terms and conditions carefully and do not share photos. It is also vital to install antivirus software.
If computer users have greater awareness and take the necessary precautions, they can help to curb cybercrime.
Natalie Fong Wing-yin, Tseung Kwan O


Letters to the Editor, August 28, 2014

Some people have blown the incident of a stray dog killed on the MTR track out of proportion.

Letters to the Editor, August 26, 2014

Textbook prices are now far too high. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Opinion

I am a dog lover and I keep dogs. I feel sad that a stray dog was killed by a train on a track on the MTR network. However, some people have blown the incident out of proportion.
