XN000022-1996-10-12+13 — Page 7

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The restraint and dignity of most public debate here makes last week's break-in to the Japanese Consulate-General all the more reprehensible. That's not how we behave in Hong Kong. I will always defend people's right to speak their mind, to demonstrate, to march. But those rights must always not sometimes, but always - be exercised within the law. However strongly you feel, you must obey the law. Abuse that principle, and you're on a very slippery slope. Next time it may be your privacy, your rights that are being usurped. So let's have no more behaviour like that. It's time, I think, to cool it.

My last point I described as an assumption. I was being grilled on Tuesday by bright secondary school pupils in forms 5 to 7. They always ask the most difficult questions, and when you answer them I think you're always concerned to avoid cynicism or the usual formula responses and try to connect directly and frankly with an intelligent and questing mind. How difficult it must be to be a teacher, but how rewarding too when a good teacher sees a young mind questing and discovering and taking off.

But that's not the point I've wanted to make. It seemed natural for me to be sitting there trying to answer those questions, and I think it seemed pretty normal for those young people who were putting the questions as well. That's the future of Hong Kong. Open and free and responsible. Look at those youngsters, listen to what they say, talk to your own children, and ask yourself how it could possibly be otherwise.

End

Hiking safety campaign begins

A four-month long campaign aimed at increasing public awareness on hiking safety was officially launched by the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr Lawrence Lee, at Kam Shan Country Park this (Sunday) morning.

The campaign, which will last until the end of next February, is organised by the Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFD) with sponsorship from the Lions Clubs International District 303 Hong Kong and Macau (Lions Clubs).

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr Lee said the campaign would help the public to understand the importance of safety in hiking and learn related knowledge and techniques.