Q Should corporal punishment be a criminal offence? Children are learning and trying to adapt themselves to the world. Unavoidably, they make mistakes and easily misbehave. But corporal punishment is never a civilised way to educate and discipline them. It can only stop them from doing bad things for a short period because they do not understand why what they did is wrong. There are many non-violent, effective ways to discipline children, such as cutting their pocket money and stopping them from playing computer games. Parents who do not have any idea about how to discipline their children should seek help from social workers. Wong Wai-ling, Tuen Mun I disapprove of corporal punishment. Many traditional families regard it as most effective. But is it really a suitable and effective method? I don't think so. Children are afraid of being punished, but over time they will become rebellious. The harmful effect of corporal punishment is not physical but psychological. Corporal punishment will affect the normal maturing of children. They may also think that their parents hate them. It will give them the wrong idea. Fan Lau, Tuen Mun Q Should doctors be allowed to advertise? Doctors as a professional class should not be allowed to advertise. Many children would like to become doctors when they grow up because doctors have a kind, generous and enthusiastic image and they work to save lives. If doctors were allowed to advertise to promote their products, they would become commercialised. It would make it look like they are only interested in making money, instead of helping people. The situation of doctors is similar to that of teachers nowadays. Private tutors and tutorial schools have relied heavily on advertising. They have commercialised education and undermined the relationship between teachers and students. Patients rely on the honesty and professionalism of doctors. Greater public resources will be needed to make sure doctors don't lie to the public to promote their services if they can advertise. Connie Cheng Wan-yee, Kwai Chung Q Should market vendors in Wan Chai be allowed to stay? Hawkers are a part of Hong Kong's heritage and unique identity. Hongkongers and tourists love buying from them. Their goods are convenient and cheaper. Hong Kong will lack its vibrancy and unique character if these old-style market vendors are not allowed to continue. Though vendors operate small businesses, they can satisfy the needs of elderly people who have very little income. Also, they provide a fun shopping experience to locals and tourists. More importantly, they help decorate the streets and make them interesting. Simply wandering and shopping in the City Plaza, Times Square or IFC cannot give people insights into Hong Kong. Our government should know we have already destroyed much of our historical heritage. It's really the right time to stop. Candice Cheung, Chai Wan The street stalls should stay. Hong Kong is still a place that is different from many developed cities in Asia and the west because of this street market culture, which offers a variety of commodities at low prices. They are well-loved by locals and tourists alike. Hawkers' markets are tourist attractions and interesting places, as opposed to generic stores owned by big corporations. These stalls have existed in those Wan Chai streets for decades and traffic is not at all a good reason for not preserving them as those areas are mainly for pedestrians. These stalls, like some historical buildings, should be preserved for the survival of low-income groups and to provide a balance in consumer choices. Hong Kong has enough skyscrapers. The government's reason is apparently to make way for further property development, which is largely for the benefit of a small group of property developers. If we do not want to see Hong Kong turning into a complete concrete jungle with high-rises in every corner, we should preserve the stalls. Agnes Tsang, Yuen Long On other matters... The headline on your story 'Lantau's path to wisdom beset with fungus, cracks and graffiti' (September 29) was most apt. The whole thought process behind this ill-starred project was beset 'with fungus, cracks and graffiti'. Who in their right mind, let alone those who treasure nature as we understand Buddhists profess to do, would have felled 38 superb living African rainforest trees, incised their carcasses with writings, and erected them like tombstones in one of our best natural landscapes? For those who love nature, this highly visible eyesore is a poignant graveyard, and a path of grotesque folly. Clive Noffke, Green Lantau Association
