Source: Taxpayers Union
12 JUNE 2020FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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.”