The Government's refusal to introduce a law against bars and clubs that charge entrance fees according to race legitimises the practice, claimed a founding member of Hong Kong Against Racial Discrimination. Vandana Rajwani's comments came after an investigation by the South China Morning Post in June 1998 found that while white male customers got in free, four out of six clubs surveyed charged Chinese men about $150 while Indians were asked to pay up to $300. Club managers said the charges were imposed to try to prevent Chinese, Indians, Nepalese and Filipinos entering bars, because they 'cause trouble'. Instead of legislating against racism, the Home Affairs Bureau - under pressure from legislators and the public - sent letters and leaflets to Wan Chai bars asking them not to discriminate on grounds of race. The Government also decided the pricing code was not motivated by racial discrimination but by commercial considerations. But Ms Rajwani said the Government had missed the point. 'Legislation around the world shows the intention to discriminate is irrelevant, you must instead examine the policy. 'Tourists - the very people the Government wants to attract to Hong Kong - are bound to feel the brunt of racial discrimination in bars. And as for the local community . . . why should the Government feel uncomfortable protecting its own community?' The Government's policy of using education rather than legislation was also obviously not working and its inaction would probably lead to more violent incidents of 'great concern', Ms Rajwani said. Another founding member of the group, Ravi Gidumal, said the issue for the bars was 'first and foremost about getting the 'right' clientele'. 'If there are the odd yellow and brown faces that's OK, but too many and it's not the right mix for socialising. That's just the way they think. 'The Government has to say this is stupid and outrageous and we won't tolerate this kind of rubbish. 'But until we have legislation these bars will make up whatever reality they want.'