A wowser Council in Hamilton

Stuff reports:

A Hamilton sex expo was given a limp reception by Hamilton City councillors who yesterday voted nine-10 against the adult-only event being held in the financially-struggling Claudelands Events Centre next year.

Councillor Maria Westphal chaired the strategy and policy meeting yesterday when a “full discussion” resulted in most councillors voting against allowing the Erotica Lifestyle Expo to come to Hamilton next March.

“It was a balance between losing the money and not upsetting a large portion of the community,” Mrs Westphal said.

She said the expo did not match Hamilton’s “family friendly values”.

Oh what nonsense. The expo isn’t compulsory for people to attend you know. This is the worst kind of moral censorship.

I can understand people not wanting a boobs on bikes parade, as that is in a public place, and “in your face” but the Erotica expos are held in contained venues where you have to pay money to get in. Who the hell appointed the City Council the moral police?

Their decision means those who want to attend Erotica are unable to do so because of moral wowsers imposing their views on them. Even worse, Hamilton ratepayers will end up paying for the views of the moral wowsers due to the lost revenue.

The only question for the Council should have been, will he or she pay the venue hire charge? If there is a doubt over their financial security, then have them pay in advance. Beyond that it is not their role to decide what events consenting adults can go along and attend.