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SCMP Reporter

THE E-MAIL FORUM

Q What do you think of the Central Christmas tree?

The Christmas Wishing Tree is certainly attracting a lot of attention. It is indeed brash, gaudy and vulgar. But any doubt as to whether it is appropriate for Hong Kong can be removed by simply taking a close look at it.

There are no fewer than 17 signs surrounding it - each on a neat little stand and all in three languages: English, Chinese and Japanese. There are signs saying 'Please do not touch', 'Please do not climb', 'Please keep clean', and at least five saying very clearly 'No entry'.

In addition, the whole thing is protected by a most unwelcoming black barrier, with three uniformed guards patrolling the perimeter.

This strikes me as a perfect addition to the Hong Kong scene and I am sure it will give the correct impression to all who visit it: 'We wish you a Merry Christmas, but only during the prescribed opening hours. In the meantime, please go away.'

Robert Nield, Clearwater Bay

The idea is really great. Many tourists are fascinated by it. It has created a festive image.

Hongkongers are suffering from hopelessness. The Wishing Tree provides opportunities for people to make a wish during the great festival. People's hope could be lit up and dissatisfaction with the government might be reduced.

Hope is invaluable and can act as people's driving energy. The government is actually trying its best to cheer up the discontented public. We should try to appreciate its efforts instead of criticising it as a waste of money.

Chan Chung-yan, Tsuen Wan

I applaud your editorial headlined 'It's the spirit, not the style of tree, that matters', on December 6 because the tone hits the mark: hope and pleasure.

Yes, the tree has sparked a considerable debate.  Bonnie Ngan Suet-fong, of the Tourism Board, also hit the mark when she said that if the tree became a talking point, the exercise will have been a success.

However, I take exception to the pseudo-intellectual comments of David Tang, the founder of Shanghai Tang.

For a person whose fashions and use of colour give new meaning to the word garish to wish for a 'hint of sophistication', is, in my opinion, like a short-order cook trying to give a French chef tips on food preparation. Mr Tang needs to  learn to offer positive criticism.

On the other hand, maybe Mr Tang  was having a bad  day after reading comments by his director of marketing in the Post's Christmas magazine that people on a 'brand binge with cash to spend' should look to  Versace.

Finally, if Mr Tang is so distressed by the tree, why does he only stand on the sidelines and criticise instead of stepping forward and offering his services as the designer and provider of next year's tree?

Name and address supplied

I think the tree is good for promoting Hong Kong's image. It is the first time for such a big Christmas tree in Hong Kong.

Although some people say the tree is ugly due to the lack of special adornments, simple is best.  Whatever the tree looks like, it can provide hope  to all.

I think the tree is the best Christmas present for the people of Hong Kong.

Chan Kong, Tsuen Wan

Q How can road safety be improved?

The report investigating highway safety underlined dangerous practices by many drivers, specifically identifying speeding and tailgating.

In reaction to the report's conclusions, a police  spokesman said it would not table a recommendation to Legco to outlaw tailgating because the practice did not display criminal intent.

That may be true, but the same logic should apply to speeding. How did that law ever come to be?

Needless to say, I was surprised to hear that tailgating is not a traffic offence in Hong Kong and it was disturbing to hear this opinion from the police.

Laws regulating traffic should try to limit and prevent injuries and deaths. Reckless driving - including tailgating - contributes to road accidents. Let's make our roads safer. We need this new law and we need police to enforce it.

Marian Schneps, Repulse Bay

As a mother providing a taxi service for her children, I am on the road for an average of four hours a day, covering  1,000km a week, so I have ample opportunity to observe the behaviour of drivers.

Yes, road safety is related to the bad habits of dangerous drivers, of which there are many. However, the main problem is the lack of police enforcement.

Last week, I saw a motorcycle policeman travelling at 80km/h on the Island Eastern Corridor (a 70km/h zone) and being tailgated by a Jaguar.

The Jaguar subsequently overtook the policeman (on the left) and disappeared.

Two things can be noted from this incident: the policeman did not give chase, and the Jaguar's driver must have known that he would not have been pulled over.

I saw  another motorcycle policeman watch as two motorists did a three (or five) point turn on the busy Tin Kwong Road in Kowloon at the height of the school drop-off time, causing traffic jams on both sides of the road. The policeman did nothing.

You sometimes see trucks being pulled over by traffic police, but I have yet to see a luxury car being pulled over.

Could this be the Nicholas Tse effect, given that the judiciary seems averse to handing out equal sentences to co-offenders when one party is better known and able to afford good legal representation?

Whatever the reason, it would appear that a significant number of motorists pay scant regard to the presence of policemen,  taking comfort from the knowledge that nothing will be done.

Kim Urquhart, Clearwater Bay



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