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SCMP Reporter

Marriage tradition

Since ancient times, marriage has been the ultimate unity of human beings, one man and one woman.

Hong Kong follows this historic tradition, and it should not be changed ('Gay 'newlyweds' threaten legal action', October 6).

Even in America, 55 per cent of respondents to a poll opposed legal gay marriages.

About 51 per cent, though, agreed with the idea of a legal agreement between a same-sex couple that was not a marriage.

As a compromise, Hong Kong should legalise the non-marriage legal agreement. A word so traditionally symbolic should not be tinkered with.

JUSTIN LI, Kowloon Tong

Natural justice

Legco is sending the message to the public that its Sars inquiry is out to get government officials.

I would remind our honourable members of the rules of natural justice. An inquiry which is established to find guilt would hardly fail to do so. But would it be fair, and appear to be fair, to the official(s) concerned?

B. YU, Central

Child rearing

I am concerned about the reference to a child-rearing book, On Becoming Babywise, in your article 'Nurture by the Book' (September 20).

It is vital to point out to any parents that using scheduled feedings to raise their baby carries health risks.

This book has raised concern amongst paediatricians because it outlines an infant feeding programme that has been associated with failure to thrive, poor weight gain, dehydration, breast milk supply failure, and involuntary early weaning. The American Academy of Pediatrics reviewed the book following numerous documented cases of failure to thrive and then stated: 'The best feeding schedules are ones babies design themselves. Scheduled feedings designed by parents may put babies at risk.'

The author of Babywise, Gary Ezzo, gives medical advice that goes against the standard medical practice of the largest organisation of doctors trained specifically to care for the health of babies and children.

ELAINE HA, Tin Hau



Letters