Hamilton City Council’s decision to remove a statue of Captain John Hamilton shows a pathetic lack of focus, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union.
Union spokesman Jordan Williams says, “Hamilton ratepayers are currently dealing with the fallout of a literal pandemic. Their
livelihoods are threatened, and they’re set to have their rates hiked yet again.”
“Why has Hamilton City Council focused on a statue? Don’t they realise that by so swiftly agreeing to pull it down,
they’re inviting wasteful new debates over other statues, and even the city’s name?”
“This is a pathetic capitulation to a small group of agitators. Councillors need to refocus their time and attention
away from petty controversies and onto issues that matter: namely, their annual budget. Tear down wasteful spending, not
statues.”