Waimairi To Hold Referendum On Fluoridation

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30145, 31 May 1963, Page 13

Waimairi To Hold Referendum On Fluoridation

The Waimairi County Council will hold a referendum this year, probably in November, to determine whether the water supply in the county will be fluoridated.

The council’s decision, made at a special meeting last night, provides that unless 60 per cent, of the electors vote and unless a clear majority is against fluoridation, it will proceed with the fluoridation of county water in accordance with its stated policy.

Cr. W. T. Rice moved that the council proceed with fluoridation immediately. He was supported by Cr. V. P Rabbitte, who said that the council was appointed to make decisions, and in the event of a referendum a vociferous minority would probably defeat file proposal. An amendment by Cr. A. E Wagner proposed a referendum to be held at the time of the triennial local b.dy elections in 1965. Provision should be made for the council to continue with its published policy of fluoridation unless 60 per cent, of eligible people cast their votes, and a defeat of the proposal was established by that poll, he said. Supporting the suggestion, the chairman (Mr J. I. Colligani said that a referendum at the time ot the elections would save £9OO and be much easier. The amendment was carried on the chairman’s casting vote, and Cr. A. A. Adcock proposed a further amendment advancing the date of the referendum. The Commission on Fluoridation had declared that a referendum was a most unsatisfactory way of making a decision, he said, and witnesses for and against fluoridation had supported this view. It was extremely difficult for persons to make a balanced decision on the subject, which required a sound knowledge of medicine and dentistry, and Waimairi would doubtless be subjected tc mis-truths, half-truths and twisted propaganda before the referendum was held. "However, if we are to have one. let us have it as soon as possible,” he said. Cr. Rice proposed that the council ask the Department of Health to prepare a scientific pamphlet on fluoridation, and that this be included wi'h rate-demand

notices, so that voters would be informed on the subject before the referendum. 1: was poin.ed out that non-ratepayers held the majority of the votes in the courxy, and the matter was referred to the finance committee for further discussion. Addresses Given Before the council’s debate, addresses were given by Dr. G. N. Davies, of the department. on preventive dentistry. public health and children's dentistry in Dunedin. Dr. N. C. Begg, director of medical services for the Plunket Society representing the Canterbury division of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association, and Mr W. A. Penlfflgton, of the Hastings Antifluoridation Society. Dr. Davies said that tooth decay affected most New Zealand children. At two years of age 46 per cent, of children had some tooth decay ir. their first teeth, rising to 94 per cent, by the age of seven. With second teeth. 70 per cent, of children already had one or more teeth affected at seven years of age. and this increased to 99.5 per cent, by the age of 13 “Last year £2.277.490 was spent on dental care for our children.” he said This bad dental health could be prevented either by reducing the factors causing it as was done in iodising salt to prevent goitre, or by increasing resistance to it. as was done m immunisation against diptherla.

Results from fluoridation schemes showed undeniably that There was a great benefit to be obtained. This was shown in a reduction of dental decay erf almost 60 per cent., compared with little more than 20 per cent, in the case of almost any other method tried he said. Sodium fluoride could cause death if eight to 10 grams were taken at one-time—-this would mean imbibing 8950 pints of fluoridated water, said Dr. Davies. For a cumulative effect such as osteosclerosis one would have to take 36 pints of the water each day for 10 to 20 years. "Practicable” The practicability of the scheme was shown in some 2000 installations overseas, besides those in New Zealand The tablets containing fluoride were more expensive less effective, and less safe, said Dr. Davies. It was possible for a child to take a dangerous quantity of the tablets at one time, but impossible with fluoridated water. Dr. Begg said that diseased teeth could be a focus of infection in the body causing many other diseases. These would be halved, as well as actual tooth decay, if dentai health were improved. Mortality statistics showed no fluctuations in fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas, and there was no shred of evidence to link it with neonatal mortality, stillbirths, or deformities. "We make laws to check pollution of food and waiter, we enforce quarantine laws, we protect children from hydatids infection, check the safety appliances of motorcars, and combat smog. Each cf these is an incursion into the way of life of individual citizens.” he said. "If we wish to prevent disease and promote health, another way is open in the "ucrida’ion of water supplies. To me it seems wrong not to use such a method, which is inexpensive, would interfere with no-one’s safety, and which has proved effective.”

Although he did not wish to appear a scaremonger, he thought that several otijer factors should be looked at. said Mt Penlington. Ten New Zealand referendums had rejected fluoridation, and the council was bound to consult the wishes of the Waimairi people. More than 70 persons in the public gallery and outside applauded this remark. 111-effects had been complained of by persons in Hastings after the Introduction of fluoridation, and no medical evidence on this had been presented to the commission.

"Although you may be willing to accept this risk yourselves, it is doubtful whether you have the right to impose it on others,” he said.

Accurate dispensing of tablets was much better than haphazard dosing of the water supply. There was no more danger from an overdose of the fluorine tablets han from aspirin or any other common household remedy. "If you make an arbitrary decision, you will cause a great deal of ill-will, and people will keep on fighting it. A referendum is the simplest and most peaceful way of making the decision," said Mr Penlington.