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SCMP Reporter

Q How should Central be made more attractive?

I feel Central could be made more attractive by planting trees and putting some benches along Queen's Road, especially in front of Lane Crawford.

Since the front of the store has been altered, the area has become quite stark and sterile. The trees would provide shade and the benches would be great for old people doing shopping along the street. Hannelore Hartig, Sheung Wan

With regards the planting of more trees in Central, I have one suggestion. A few years ago, San Francisco decided to invest in planting imperial palm trees along one of its main boulevards.

The result is spectacular and has become a sight that many tourists go to see. The planting of these trees  would be a tremendous facelift for Central. Hong Kong should look into it.

Steve Loeb, Mid-Levels

The revamp of Central is really exciting news. Hongkong Land's vision is to be much applauded.

I have the following suggestions. The firm should launch a website so people could freely discuss the plans and make proposals. There should also be more publicity about the project, and more forums for gathering public opinions.

While it is important to preserve the character of Central, such as heritage buildings, it must be realised that heritage and culture alone are not enough. I suggest space for art exhibitions, like Hyde Park in London. To keep abreast of technology, there should be  stations with internet access.

Even though the argument that 'Central prospers, Hong Kong prospers' is attractive, you cannot hide the commercial gains that Hongkong Land will reap from this project. The firm should not expect too much in the way of government funds.

Yet if government funds are to be involved, the public must also have a right to participate in the decision-making process.

Name and address supplied

Q Do the needy receive enough help from the wealthy in Hong Kong?

Kudos to companies like Pret a Manger and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel for saving resources and helping the needy. Their example should be followed.

There should be no doubt that those of us who are better off should share our good fortune with others who are less fortunate. This is one of the most basic foundations of any decent society.

Poverty  should be fought by all those with a social conscience. The days of blaming the poor for being poor should be over, and we should recognise that many of the causes of poverty are not within the control of the individual.

We should be asking how we can help, rather than whether we should help. Perhaps your newspaper could provide us with the contact number of the relevant organisation, or it could launch a programme to raise funds and recruit help.

Your report of a mother and her two children going hungry following the death of her husband, because she did not have a Hong Kong ID card and therefore could not claim social assistance, should be investigated and a mechanism put in place to deal with such cases.

Gillian Kew, Sha Tin

Q Should the Housing Authority continue to fight rent cuts?

The safety net set up by our government is really safe - indeed, too safe, as shown by the way some people have cunningly made their way into it.

My four-person family lives in a 400-sq-ft apartment in a 20-year-old building. We spend about $5,000 per month on rent. Together with about $600 in management fees and rates, my housing expenses amount to about 35 per cent of my family income.

We did try to apply for rental housing but in vain, as our gross household income slightly exceeded the Housing Authority's limit.

If my family income had dropped a bit, our family could have enjoyed comprehensive housing care from the government: newer and more spacious flats, free maintenance services, perpetual tenancy and, most importantly, paying only a quarter of my current rent. I would be willing to pay double rent for a public flat, yet I am unqualified to be one of the beneficiaries.

I have no problem with helping those who are really poor. But public housing tenants are already subsidised and I don't understand why they are still pressing for cheaper rents. Perhaps the Housing Authority should try to scrap the stupid law which forces it to give public housing tenants additional public subsidies that are not justified by real need. After all, many more people are desperately waiting for assistance from the government. Public funds should be wisely spent, especially during these years of fiscal deficit.

Name and address supplied

On other matters ...

I have a suggestion for Secretary for the Environment Transport and Works Sarah Liao Sau-tung before she finalises a realistic formula for bus fare concessions.

It is difficult to persuade businessmen to give up part of their profits to relieve passengers from sky-high fares. So, Dr Liao should consider enhancing existing bicycle paths and constructing more in urban areas. She should also spearhead a biking campaign to encourage Hong Kong people to pedal to their destinations if they are not too far away. I am optimistic that Hong Kong people would rather join the campaign than continue to pay fares that are too high in this gloomy economy.

Just imagine the benefits: physical fitness, saved money, improved air quality and a reduction in vehicle traffic.

Y.K. Wong, Yuen Long



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