I WRITE on behalf of the vast majority of Rennie's Mill residents, those that we usually call 'the silent majority', especially the many old people still living in the village. On February 13, the Government announced its latest package for compensation for the future clearance of Rennie's Mill Village. All reports on TV and radio were followed by interviews of some villagers claiming that this offer was still not high enough and that they would oppose it. This might have given the impression that all villagers would oppose this latest offer, which is not so. I have been living in Rennie's Mill since 1977, and I am familiar enough with its situation to be able to assure readers that the vast majority of the villagers want to move now, and are very happy with the Government's latest offer. There is only a tiny minority of people who still insist on more money. These self-proclaimed 'representatives' were not elected by the villagers, we did not vote for them. Therefore, they do not represent villagers' opinions, only their own. I ask the Government to listen to all villagers, not just this small committee. As the South China Morning Post reported on January 3, more than 70 per cent of the houses are damaged, and we dread to think of what would happen this summer, if a big typhoon crossed the territory. The hygiene in the village is also deteriorating, with rats, snakes, cockroaches, and other such nuisances multiplying at a fast rate. All schools have been closed since the summer of 1993, forcing children to make long trips to city schools. The former school buildings have been taken over by drug addicts and other young people, resulting in a higher rate of criminality. For the old, the sick, and those in need, it is increasingly difficult to stay in the village. This, and many other similar problems, are what the vast majority of Rennie's Mill villagers are talking about in private, and this is what we are asking the Government to take into account in order to speed up the registration procedures of those many people who want to move out now. If the committee wants to stay on, that's up to it, but the other people should be allowed to go and live where they like. Let me ask this: If this summer, a big typhoon happens to pass by Hong Kong, there might be a major disaster in Rennie's Mill, with so many houses in bad shape. Who will be held responsible? Father PATRICK MASSCHELEIN Rennie's Mill
