Here we have a barrister who is living in a time warp, who thinks it is the god-given right of the British to behave badly in 'colonies' and call it 'eccentricity', safe in the knowledge that the old-boy network will bail him out ('Bar chairman defends lawyers' right to pre-court drink', August 13). And some expatriates, such as letter-writer Anna McLaughlin (August 13), are already coming out with the western 'psycho babble' that Roderick Murray needs 'help'. While the Bar Association chairman is defending the right of members to drink before going to court! I am sure that these lawyers would not want to fly in a plane where the pilots defend their right to drink before flying. I know someone who needs 'help' more - the taxpayer, who is financing such individuals, and the poor of Hong Kong, who have psychiatric problems aplenty and no old boys network to bail them out. Is it not time that the government broke this service monopoly, which appropriately calls itself the 'bar'? The bar is a cartel which fixes even the charges that its members ask for notarising a document. The so-called 'silks' charge up to half a million dollars a day to appear in court. Meanwhile, so many poor people find that they cannot pay the 'legal' fee that they choose to represent themselves in court. At least they would turn up sober. If the government opens up the profession to American lawyers, who are willing to work on a contingency basis, and South Asian lawyers, who would be willing to do the low-end work, the economy would benefit immensely and the drunken lawyers can then use their own money to deal with their psychiatric problems. The so-called 'rule of law' is another product of human services and is not mystical. If the old company, the Hong Kong Bar, that has delivered it is no longer competitive, then perhaps it is time to open up this service. After all, the end of one civilisation is not the end of all civilisation and the end of monopoly in such services as telecoms has enlarged choices for consumers and improved standards. Ditto the 'rule of law' industry. N. BALAKRISHNAN, Kowloon Tong Democratic HK is best I refer to the letter 'HK can be the best' (August 12), by Jamil Shah. It can be the best - with democracy. I am surprised that someone still believes that those who did not join the July 1 march were anti-democracy. As we know, some people were working, and others, not able to withstand the heat, declined to join the march. Yet it does not mean that they do not support democracy. Many surveys have shown that most Hongkongers support full democracy. It should not be forgotten that the pro-democracy camp triumphed in the district council elections last year. With full democracy, the government will be widely accepted by the public. It will meet less resistance in promoting policies. If the government is incompetent, just like the administration of Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, it can be 'fired' by the people through universal suffrage. It is ridiculous to say that democracy will harm economic growth. Why do the people want democracy? Because they want to create a better government, and then to live better. I believe that most Hongkongers are intelligent and rational. We, including you and me, deserve the power of the people. STANLEY CHAN KA-KI, Wong Tai Sin Don't judge Cheng yet Calling someone a hypocrite and questioning a Legco candidate's integrity by his choice of country of retirement is tantamount to a smear. I am surprised to see so many provocative remarks about Albert Cheng King-hon from readers. Some letters are unnecessarily sarcastic and harsh. While we have yet to see anything substantial from Mr Cheng's election platform, it is too hasty to say that he will mess things up and leave. Those readers' votes may not go to Mr Cheng, but I wonder if they will be able to cast a sensible vote when they are so busy pointing fingers? NICHOLAS WU SHUN-PING, Sha Tin Tang's worthy views James Barnes calls David Tang 'this restaurateur/clothing salesman' and denigrates his views ('Tang's credentials', August 11). But I, for one, find Mr Tang's views very interesting. This is because his family is one of Hong Kong's oldest and most philanthropic, with deep experience of how this city has grown over many decades, and which has been long committed to its common people - as the Tang Siu Kin Hospital shows. Mr Tang is one of the few Hong Kong businessmen to have created and taken overseas a Hong Kong-born brand: Shanghai Tang. His China Club showcased modern Chinese art before it became of worldwide importance. He was indispensable to the famous and seminal 'Post 89' Chinese art show, which travelled the world. Further, Mr Tang is well informed about international political opinion, with top-level connections in the UK (not to mention the mainland, as the most cursory glance at the photos in the China Club attests). His views on Hong Kong's political development and the effects of the Tung administration's style of governance on the future of this city are therefore worth the column inches. I hope Mr Tang will share his opinions again. PAUL SERFATY, Mid-Levels Patriotic booing I disagree with the letter headlined 'Asian Cup shame' (August 11). Booing at the Japanese national anthem was unsportsmanlike, but it was hardly backward. It was patriotic. Every Chinese should hold a grudge towards Japan for refusing to apologise for its atrocities in the second world war. In a football match, to the home crowd there is only one antagonist, in this case Japan. The mood was understandable. Football crowds go to a match with a single purpose - to see the home team win. Olympic crowds are more festival-like. If history is any indication, athletes need not worry about the crowds at the 2008 Olympics. Just look at the football violence in Mexico, Germany and Spain. Were there crowd problems in their Olympics? YUEN KIN-CHUNG, North Point Conserve via a trust I hope that the government and the community will throw their weight behind the Ho Tung and other families' proposals for conservation of the Central Police Station through a charitable trust. The article 'A question of love or money' (August 9), by Jane Moir, reports Robert Ho Yau-chung as being concerned at the likely result of commercial-led development on the site, given Hong Kong's track record with Murray House and the former Stanley Police Station. It is a sad reflection that compared with Macau or Singapore, Hong Kong's efforts at conserving its architectural heritage have been poor, with even Wan Chai Market and the Stubbs Road mansion now under threat. At the review of heritage conservation policy in May, I urged that Hong Kong's protection of its architectural heritage was too limited and, as a means of raising community involvement, I suggested the creation of a charitable trust involving keen laymen and professionals from local circles. Ian Brownlee's article ('Heritage conservation built on trust', August 5) suggests that an answer is to move a large part of heritage conservation away from the government, making it the responsibility of a community-based heritage trust. Private property of heritage value could be donated to a trust that would manage it in the interest of the donor and the public. It would be wonderful if the Ho Tung proposals could grow into a trust for heritage conservation. Hopefully, this would influence and aid the mainland in the conservation of its heritage. K. J. R. BORTHWICK, Lantau A convert to Octopus I remember when the MTR introduced the Octopus card. I was against it because of the $50 deposit being demanded. Thanks in part to the severe coin shortage we experienced a few years ago, this piece of plastic is proving now to be a most useful invention. The Octopus can be used on trains, buses, minibuses, ferries, and trams (and hopefully it will not be too long before taxis join in), and in supermarkets and convenience stores, car parks and other places. One possible reason for its popularity, I believe, is that it is not linked to any bank or similar institution. Anyone can buy an Octopus card without having to show identification (though you are asked to produce your ID card when you try to claim back your deposit), and anybody can use one. Three cheers to Octopus. RENNIE MARQUES, Mei Foo Sun Chuen
