17 JUNE 1989, Page 23

Sir: How sad to find the Spectator preaching of 'honour'

in connection with Hong Kong. Falstaff was right in saying 'honour is a mere scutcheon', fine when it comes to dying for one's country but useless for living in it. The first duty of our government is to the British people who elected them. Millions more incomers will make life intolerable on this overcrowded island. 'What is honour? A word . . . A trim reckoning.'

Rosemary Meynell

29 Kinnerton Street, London SW!