REGARDING the recent gazetting of the Electoral Reform Bill and its imminent presentation before the Legislative Council, I would like to make a few comments. While the current state of democracy in Hongkong is not satisfactory and anything China has in mind will be an improvement, the current proposals are ill-conceived and have no place as far as the democratic development of this territory goes. Adjustments to the franchise must be consistent with the needs of the people today, not what the powers-that-be feel they ought to have or might want after 1997. The simple truth is that Hongkong is a special place with special needs - its population doesn't have the need for, or the ability to operate, a democratic system and Mr Patten's ''ingenious'' tinkering doesn't serve anyone's interests. The readers of this newspaper probably embody the pinnacle of political awareness in Hongkong, but how many of them will still be here when China takes over? A cursory glance at Mr Patten's proposals seems to indicate that we need 2.6 million informed, politically aware voters. Where are we going to find these people? Surely this requirement isn't going to fall under the aegis of the labour importation scheme? An analysis of Mr Hongkong reveals that he is a politically unsophisticated, unprincipled, ignorant barbarian who can't see much further than the end of his nose. He swam over from China when the going got tough there and he plans to flee to Canada at the slightest murmuring of trouble here. Why should a nation whose colonial conduct has, on the whole, been quite exemplary, put its record on the line for such people? The aspirations of Mr Hongkong may seem simple, even crude, by Western standards. But a foreign power in the twilight of its colonial reign is in no position to impose anything else on him. He is best served by accepting that China is the de facto ruler of Hongkong. Talented Hongkong politicians might then focus their attention on more worthy issues. If the situation deteriorates rapidly Hongkong people can surely find sanctuary somewhere in the provisions of the British Nationality Package or in the very generous terms offered by the Canadians. JONATHAN GEOFFREY WRIGHT Lantau IN considering his options, Governor Chris Patten should appreciate that the top priority of Hongkong people is their livelihood. People have made immense sacrifices and worked hard to achieve their current prosperity, and would not like to see it threatened. That is why the Governor's confrontational approach towards Beijing is losing him the support of the Hongkong people. It is great to have more political democracy, but not to the point where prosperity is threatened. If Mr Patten does not understand this, he does not understand Hongkong society. AMY YUEN Happy Valley
