WHEN I wrote to the South China Morning Post (July 25) supporting the Government's pension proposals, I was well aware that the scheme was far from perfect, but as I said at the time, we live in an imperfect world.
Every argument I have ever heard both for and against pensions, has been flawed in one way or another, but so what! The proposed pension scheme is merely a starting point and the scheme will be improved and built upon, given the right attitude. I am also aware that people far cleverer than me will find every possible reason to oppose the scheme no matter how well intended or thought out.
Of course it will have an effect on the take-home pay of the expat. Of course it will mean that young couples wishing to emigrate to Canada will have a little less in the bank when they set up their new home - but so what! At the risk of sounding sanctimonious, I feel that when you argue for or against an old age pension you should try not to begin by setting out your own needs first.
If we all start by defending our own case and protecting what is rightfully ours down to the last 1.5 per cent then we may as well throw in the towel right now.
To argue that to have an old age pension will ''destroy the competitiveness of industry'' or bring Hong Kong's economy crashing down is nonsense. If we can survive the crazy rents and land prices, the cost of exotic foods, cars, petrol, transportation, and designer clothes etc, then we have no excuse for not helping the aged.
When I first came to live in Hong Kong, grannies were considered very special and important; they were wise and respected. But it now seems that we are fast following the UK into the age of ''Granny Bashing''.