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SCMP Reporter

How can we better protect our birds?
The government should be doing more to protect birds.
It has to promote the importance of looking after birds and educate citizens so more people are aware of the problems that exist ('Redevelopment threatens sites for house swifts and barn swallows', April 30).
This is important because at the moment most  Hongkongers do not pay much attention to this issue. Many just connect birds with the threat of bird flu.
 Also, there must be tougher penalties for people  caught unlawfully killing birds. At present the punishment is light and does not act as an effective deterrent. I think there can be greater protection for birds if our government does more.
Crystal Ng, Wong Tai Sin
 Some people avoid birds because they fear the spread of bird flu. However, as humans I believe we have a responsibility to protect animals. 
One way of helping people  appreciate the importance of this is through education. 
When people are taught to recognise their responsibility, they will feel far more inclined to help with the protection of birds. 
Given the problems being experienced by birds,  the government should establish a department where it can pool the views of experts and bird enthusiasts, and come up with a better strategy aimed at protecting birds. 
While it is important to halt the spread of swine flu, the government must consider the rights of animals as well and appreciate that they should be entitled to some protection. 
Kelvin Yin, Sha Tin
What do you think of the city's quality of life?
 Hongkongers  enjoy a good quality of life. 
With an efficient transport network, it is easy to get around the city. 
The government has also ensured that there are many facilities  available to the public, such as sports grounds and libraries. 
These facilities help to enhance our quality of life. 
Children also get nine years of free education, and there are many countries where children do not enjoy this privilege. This  makes it more likely that Hong Kong can become a knowledge-based city. 
Last, and of greatest importance, the Basic Law  protects the rights of citizens, such as our rights to protest and to hold religious beliefs. 
In this society, we are all equal before the law. 
I do think that Hongkongers enjoy a good quality of life. 
Eliza Lam, Tsuen Wan
What can be done to reduce domestic violence?
 I think there is more the government could do to reduce  domestic violence. The government should try to encourage good relations  among neighbours. 
Neighbours have the ability to help curb these incidents by recognising the signs, such as quarrels within families and unusual behaviour. 
If they get on well enough with that family, then they can act as mediators. If nothing is done until the police intervene, it may already be too late. If a family can be helped by good neighbours, members of the family may begin to feel more hopeful about their predicament. 
 Also  the number of social workers should be increased and  more resources allocated to try to deal with domestic violence. If there were more social workers, they could more effectively find and target problem families. Often, disadvantaged families are reluctant to ask for help. 
Last, the government should co-operate with other social-welfare organisations to promote  harmonious relationships within families. They should run advertisements promoting the message of tolerance and care in the family. This is a matter  that should be of concern to all members of society.  
Choi Chun-ning, Sha Tin
On other matters ...
I write to express my dismay over the use of Octopus cards in some of Hong Kong's car parks. I have found that once your Octopus card does not have enough credit, the machine will simply not let you into the car park.
However, there is no charge-up machine to add value to your card. I have found myself in a position where it is impossible to reverse and I am, in effect, stuck at the entrance to the car park.
At this point there is a simple solution. I should be able to ask the car-park management to help me recharge  my Octopus card or let me in first and help me add the necessary value to it.
 However, lately I have found that at a car park at Caribbean Coast, Tung Chung, management refuses to help in this way. I have found myself stuck at the entrance, unable to get in  sometimes for more than 10 minutes. To my surprise, I have found that there are no car-park staff present on a Sunday. I pressed the button for help and there was no answer.
 The only course of action I could think of, when my Octopus card did not have sufficient value, was to get out of my car and run to the nearest 7-Eleven to add value to the card, but security staff have said I could not do that.
I wonder how many other drivers have experienced similar problems at other car parks in Hong Kong.
I do not understand why when the machine accepting Octopus is installed, car-park management do not also have a machine that would accept your credit card, so you have an alternative. It is a ridiculous state of affairs.
Francis Au Yeung, Happy Valley
 The comments made by Australia Network's chief executive, Bruce Dover,  were most revealing ('Fee to watch Australia Network triggers row', April 29). He said the decision to start charging viewers for Australia Network from May 11 was made 'unilaterally' by Now TV (PCCW) and that the Australian service was given free  to Now TV.
 Now TV is charging its customers for something it gets for nothing.
 Further, Australia Network is included in the bundle of services I already purchase from Now TV. If an additional charge is made for this channel, is this a breach of contract by Now TV? 
 Almost every night I get a knock on my door from a PCCW representative selling something new because existing services are outdated. 
The representative said a high-definition modem for my new monitor was not suitable for Now programmes and I had to use a Now modem.
 I told the representative to get lost. It is time for PCCW to become customer and shareholder friendly.
Mark Pinkstone, Central
Almost every night  I get a knock on my door from a PCCW representative selling something new 
Mark Pinkstone,  Central



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