AUSTRALIAN NEWSLETTER No Fluoridation Of Sydney’s Water Supply

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30154, 11 June 1963, Page 18

AUSTRALIAN NEWSLETTER No Fluoridation Of Sydney’s Water Supply

[By

FRANK PUDDICOMBE,

W.ZJ’A. Special Correspondent]

SYDNEY. The advocates of fluoridation were dealt a severe reverse when those in authority decided against fluoridating the water supply of Sydney. The Sydney Water Board decided by four votes to two not to fluoridate the city’s water "at this stage.” Local government authorities are now demanding state government intervention to over-rule the water board.

Mayors and shire presidents. representing nearly one million citizens have so far called for government action and it is regarded as certain that the New South Wales Labour Party' conference this week will instruct the government to order foundation of Sydney’s drinking water.

The main reason given by the water board for its decision was that its responsibility was to provide a "pure water supply” and there were serious difficulties in deciding a basically medical-dental question

Leading dental authorities said they were appaled at the water board's decision and the Sydney newspapers accused the board of a “positive disservice” to the community.

The extraordinary thing about the water boards decision is that the members who voted against flouridation did so in the face of their ‘‘instructions’’ from the suburban councils tijey represent. * ¥ ¥ On Location There has been criticism of the New South Wales Government over its Cabinet meetings in country towns. So far. these meetings have been held in Bathurst, in the central west and at Lismore. on the far north coast The next one will be held at Albury on the southern border. The "Daily Telegraph” has been the most outspoken opponent of what it calls the “circus act.” The newspaper said it was time the government put an end to the “silly grandstand play” of periodic Cabinet meetings in country centres. In each country centre the government has announced a number of projects, which had all been worked out by public servants in Sydney long before. ¥ ¥ ¥

Damaged Stockings

A woman who laddered her stocking at work was awarded 8s lid compensation by the Workers Compensation Commission in a claim for a damaged stocking.

Mr L. J. Murray, manager of the Government Insurance Office, said that if there was a rush of claims for damaged stockings “something would happen” to arrest it. It is believed that a number of claims for torn stockngs have been settled quietly because the cost of •n. action, including legal tees, would be more than the price of the stockings.