Fluoridation

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28702, 27 September 1958, Page 3

Fluoridation

“ a Sir,—Your recent editorial on ’ fluoridation appears to decry the 1 consequences of democratic.free- ' dom which permits' sections of , people ,to oppose this dictatorial r measure of mass medication. You ' refer to democratic safeguards, - which are non-existent when the 1 community water supply is poli luted with sodium fluoride, a bye product of aluminium. As a rate"i payer I expect the council to n honour its contract to supply me - with pure water, failing which I will be forced to proceed for the a supply of a pump, free of charge. >, Are you still-prepared to support d the dictatorial demands of the i- bureaucratic pseudo - scientist! i- against the 11,000-signature petln tion to Parliament, anti-fluorida-tion branches all over the country ■t and the opposition of the New (j Zealand Housewives’ Association as well as widespread individual disfavour? I see sodium fluoride ■ is now off the list of dangerous • drugs, and chemists may sell 11 with a warning as to its effects.— 1S Yours, etc., d W.J.C. 'f September 25, 1958.

"Sir, —By regretting that individual liberty permits a "vocal minority” to prevent the mass fluoridation of our water, ‘‘The Press” brings into sharp relief the real issue—personal freedom. I have taken no part in this controversy, and I know little about the use of fluoride except that its exponents say it will benefit only that small —and doubtless, vocal—minority under twelve years old; but I think it should be observed that the exponents of fluoridation seem a small minority, too, even if "The Press” does place their views before a large majority. Our freedoms, which "The Press” may not respect, were won in the tears and blood of countless Britons, over many centuries. Must they be abolished? I understand that doses of fluoride may be safely arranged for those who want it.—Yours, etc..

FAIR DINKUM. September 23, 1958.

[We did not regret the freedom for a "vocal minority” to state its view; we do regret that the minority is misguided.—Ed., "The Press.”] A <