Corporal punishment

With reference to the politically correct letters that have sadly begun to take the space in your "Letters" column regarding the caning of the American teenage vandal in Singapore, I have the following observations to make: Some years ago I was a school teacher in the UK. While following that profession I fully supported corporal punishment and never shrank from my duty of giving a boy a jolly good thrashing whenever it became necessary.

In our school we had discipline. We had respect. Things ran smoothly. However, as soon as the liberal-left (the ideological godfathers of the 'politically correct') pushed a bill through Parliament to banish the cane from our institutions of education things began to go to the dogs pretty quickly indeed.

Not long after that I hung up my gown and began to pursue another career. My ex-colleagues tell me that things have continually become worse in schools. On my visits home I see the signs everywhere -- filth in the streets, a rise in crime, old people not respected and frankly living in fear. This is the very essence of social fragmentation.

In contrast my visits to Singapore are always pleasant. The city state is clean, well organized and safe. Why? Because there are clear expectations of social conduct which are backed up and enforced with straightforward measures. Spit in the street and you get a stiff fine. Urinate in an elevator and you get your picture in the paper as well as fine. It's all made clear, people know what the score is and as a consequence they behave. When they step out of line they find out pretty quickly that the state is not joking. And it works.

So we come to the letter of June 2, 1994 The caning case in which your correspondent wonders who would possibly take the responsibility of delivering the cane. Easy. Me! Yes, because I do care and I do have a sense of social responsibility and I would like to see the streets of all our countries free from the rule of the yobs. Yes, hand me the rattan, show me the A-frame. When can I start?

JOHN THOMAS

Jakarta