Letters

Lack of rail link on bridge a major mistake

I refer to your editorial, 'Bridge traffic already running into problems' (April 14). It is becoming all too apparent that the structures that will link Hong Kong with Zhuhai and Macau are following in the best Japanese traditions of infrastructure planning. Japanese authorities are well known for applying the Keynesian economics of 'building bridges to nowhere'.

In 1988 an impressive system of bridges across the Inland Sea of Japan first connected the islands of Honshu and Shikoku, which previously were only linked by ferry.

This part of the Seto-Chuo Expressway cost some HK$60 billion and as Shikoku was predominantly agricultural it seemed an astonishingly expensive way to get fruit and vegetables to market in the major cities of Honshu.

To say that the road traffic on that new bridge was sparse would be a gross overstatement, especially as truck drivers still preferred to use the ferry, due to the expensive road tolls. The majority of the expressway's patrons appeared to be government and prefecture officials. The saving grace for this project is that a railway deck was included under the expressway, and this track was well integrated into the national railway system. It has proved to be very popular.

It is a sad reflection on our government that it did not incorporate rail into this Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge project, despite the Transport and Housing Bureau's policy to place emphasis on railways, and to encourage the use of public transport. I agree with Joe Chow ('Third runaway idiocy', April 15) as a rail connection between the airports of Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macau could have precluded any ridiculous proposals to add another runway at Chek Lap Kok.

I disagree with your editorial's final statement that maximising vehicular use has to be a matter of importance for government, as this is essentially a construction project and maximising private car usage will not be in the general public's best interest. Sadly, the only train that will cross this bridge will be the gravy train.

As a footnote, just a decade later in 1998 and 1999 two more spectacular bridges were opened between Honshu and Shikoku at a cost of HK$170 billion. It will not be surprising if more bridges across the Pearl estuary are soon added at massive public expense.

Roger Emmerton, Wan Chai

Discrimination is unacceptable

Hong Kong women face serious bed shortages in maternity wards.

In the debate about the allocation for mainland mothers it is important to avoid discrimination, which is a problem in the SAR.

I have seen mainland students in Hong Kong schools being bullied because of their pronunciation. If we cannot treat mainland families living here as local then more social problems will be created.

The government should increase the number of hospital beds to meet increased demand. We must ensure that there is no discrimination.

Tim Wong, Sheung Shui

Property tax for mainlanders

I refer to the letter from Jeffry Kuperus ('Mainland cash keeps Hong Kong afloat', April 19).

The truth is that mainland speculators are driving Hong Kong property prices to levels beyond the reach of Hong Kong citizens, and mainland women are driving the city's women out of our subsidised hospital beds.

The government can easily solve both problems. If mainland buyers genuinely like Hong Kong property, let them pay tax. A levy of 50 per cent on all property transactions by non-citizens will sort out those who are committed to Hong Kong from those who just want to make money.

The tax raised can provide low-cost housing to SAR citizens. Our medical services are in demand. Let's organise a dedicated hospital to provide a top-class service to our mainland customers and charge top rates.

Profits raised can help subsidise our local health system. Let's take advantage of mainland cash to benefit Hong Kong citizens.

Edmund Kwok, Mid-Levels

Dylan gave poor performance

I refer to Dave Freidenrich's Bob Dylan concert review ('Freewheelin' Bob Dylan is poetry in commotion', April 13). Were we at the same concert?

The review did successfully capture the theatrical mood of the show but it ignored the limitations of Dylan's own performance.

Whilst I totally respect Dylan's place in the pantheon of musical and song-writing greats, his 'raw, gravelly voice' at the age of 69 was more strangulated than anything else, rendering each song completely unintelligible.

There was no chance of any revolutions being inspired here as who could understand what was being said? The censors in Beijing must have laughed. The band was admittedly very strong, harmonising and blending well. But, if not held back by Dylan's singing, it was hamstrung by Dylan's hamfistedness on the keyboard and harmonica - so many wrong notes and chords. Poetic licence is one thing but this was too much. The review's lavish praise was misguided.

Alexander Zervos, Quarry Bay

Man victimised by bad law

It was a classic case of over- manning, that is, politicians having nothing better to do than to legislate against an old man for being hard working, locating a need and providing an excellent product ('Fines and sympathy for the egg-waffle man', April 16).

The police pick up the tab in humiliation in having to arrest hawker Ng Yuk-fai as per the dictates of ill-thought-out laws.

Is Hong Kong so crime-free that this infringement warrants arrest? Are the government coffers so short of funds that they have to replenish them by fines from a hard-working old man?

If health be the base reason for concern, how come no one has complained of illness consequential to eating his waffles?

Michael J. Halloran, Auckland, New Zealand

Give licence to illegal hawker

The case of egg-waffle hawker Ng Yuk-fai shows the resilience of Hong Kong people.

Although Ng is 72 he still chooses to earn his living instead of turning to the government for welfare handouts. Except for the food and hygiene inspectors, I'm sure all Hongkongers are proud of him.

I can appreciate why he was arrested, because he does not have a licence. But I wish these inspectors would give some thought about his needs and try to show a bit of sympathy for his case. All he needs is a licence for his stall.

The government should be willing to lend a helping hand to citizens like Ng.

Tommy Chong, Lam Tin

Sell waffles on college campus

Many readers will have found the story of the elderly egg-waffle hawker Ng Yuk-fai edifying. He is determined to make his own living and support his family of five.

He makes HK$5,000 to HK$6,000 a month but loses a big portion of it on court fines and having to replace his cart when it is confiscated.

As young people are still very fond of this traditional snack, a happy solution for both Ng and the hawker patrol would for one of the universities to give him a corner on its campus to hawk his waffles.

This will not only delight the students but is the most practical way to promote concepts such as social enterprise, concepts which our government and non-governmental organisations have been advocating.

Henry Lui, Tai Po

Ferry change backward move

I would like to raise a question with New World First Ferry regarding the 8.30am fast ferry from Mui Wo to Central.

On one occasion it put one of the smaller boats on this run as opposed to the regular catamaran.

Passengers accepted this as sometimes there are boat faults and it is understandable. However, since April 1, when First Ferry increased passenger fares from HK$25.50 to HK$28.40, it has been a smaller boat on the 8.30 route.

Could the company please explain the increase in cost and the decrease in passenger consideration?

The smaller ferries are obviously less comfortable, often have an unpleasant odour and are invariably more cramped.

Why should it have changed firstly when the prices have been increased and secondly given that the catamaran has been the regular 8.30 ferry for a considerable period of time? Surely the commuters who use this ferry service deserve better than this?

Samantha Bell, Lantau

Feral cows must be left alone

The correspondence regarding the feral cattle in Sai Kung made amusing reading.

We are talking about wild creatures. Petulant motorists and overprotective mothers do not seem to understand the 'wild' concept.

First, children are not as paranoid as their parents where animals are concerned.

Secondly, road accidents are caused by vehicle drivers either not driving with due care and attention or going too fast.

The manure left by the wild creatures can be put on your roses, unlike the ample deposits of dog faeces pervading the Sai Kung area.

Give the cows a break, look at them and enjoy their wildness, uniqueness and beauty, but leave them alone. They are more attractive than cars and more useful and less noisy than dogs.

John Brennan, Sai Kung