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SCMP Reporter

History is essential to a city's identity
 Hong Kong is a modern city - a city called the Pearl of the Orient. If  you look up at the sky, you will only see a very small part of it.  Why? Because there are tall buildings everywhere.
In 2007, Queen's Pier was destroyed. It  was a very important place for Hong Kong, with  a long history. But the government only thinks about  growth.  
It believes a modern city should have tall buildings everywhere. But history is an important part of a city. It becomes a witness to its development. If you destroy that history, then the city loses its spirit. 
The government should preserve historical structures.   
Michael Ng Ho-man, Po Leung Kuk No 1 W.H.Cheung College
Minimum wage should be HK$25
Discussion about the minimum wage has fallen into two opposing camps - employers versus the employees. 
While the provisional minimum wage commission still has not come up with a figure, some bosses say it should be set at about HK$20, while some workers want HK$30.
The purpose of the minimum wage is to protect the employee. If it is too low, then it will become meaningless. But if it is too high, the employers cannot afford it. So where is the ideal middle? 
I think the wage should be set at HK$25, which is about what a lunch costs. In a well-functioning society, an employee should be able to work for an hour and then buy a decent meal. 
Also the figure for the minimum wage should be adjusted every year to keep up with inflation. 
Some people may be worried that a minimum wage set too high will lead to many employees getting fired. But whatever the minimum wage figure, there will always be people who disagree with it. 
I hope both employers and employees can co-operate on this matter and that it makes society better for everyone.  
Tommy Yip, Ju Ching Chu Secondary School (Tuen Mun)     
Make school sports days fun for all
Some students complain that sports days are boring. I think they are  interesting for students who are good at sports, but boring for students who are weak at them.  They don't take part in any races or competitions, and spend the entire day sitting around. 
Some students put a lot of effort into the competitions  and the house relays while their classmates just watch them win medals and may be bored.  
So, I have been  thinking about how  students who are not so strong in sports can still enjoy the day.   
They could become  cheering team members. Others could become referees or help set up the equipment.  
If all  students can take part and enjoy sports days, then the events will become more interesting and the atmosphere more positive.  
Hon Kin-lung, TWGHs Lui Yun Choy Memorial College   
Justice must be equal for everyone
A person's social standing or background should not affect how they are treated by the legal system. Hong Kong has long been perceived as a city where this maxim has been upheld. 
However, in the case of Amina Mariam Bokhary, the 34-year-old niece of Mr Justice Kemal Bokhary,  an exception appears to have been made. This was her third conviction for assaulting a police officer.
The magistrate said she was well-educated and had a good family background. The magistrate highlighted her acute bipolar condition as the main reason for her fall from grace. 
She appears to have been suffering from this condition for a long time.  
 However, if her illness is really so serious,  why did the magistrate need to mention her family background and education? Doing so could  easily mislead people into thinking he  took her  family background into account when he delivered his sentence.  
The magistrate placed her on probation for a year, after she admitted slapping a police officer who was trying to stop her leaving the scene of an accident. He also fined her HK$5,000 for not giving a breath sample and HK$3,000 for careless driving. 
There should not be any link between one's family status and sentencing. 
 Perhaps a stricter penalty would be a better way to deter offenders in the future. 
 Michelle Chan Yin-ching




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