FLUORIDATION ON SIX-FOUR VOTE

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30395, 20 March 1964, Page 12

FLUORIDATION ON SIX-FOUR VOTE

Waimairi To Order

Equipment

Instructions to place an order immediately for the supply of the necessary equipment for the fluoridation of the Waimairi County’s water supply were last evening issued to die county engineer (Mr I. Calvert) in a motion which was carried by six votes to four. - ? ;

The motion, one of a number moved by Cr. A. A. Adcock, ended a heated and, at times, bitter debate in which Cr. W. T. Rice accused the chairman (Mr J. I. Colligan) of intimidating two junior councillors. When Cr. Adcock sat down after successfully moving his final motion, Mr Colligan and the other three councillors who had rigidly opposed any attempt to fluoridate the supply through various notices of motion were unable to do anything. For one of Cr. Adcock’s motions resolved that “no further notices of motion should be submitted or accepted as such notices of motion will further contribute an attempt by a minority to frustrate the will of the council"

A packed gallery of spectators heard the debate open when a motion, of which notice was given at the last meeting by Cr. O. C. Mitchell, that no further action be taken until a referendum was held, was lost by six votes to four.

Same Line Up Voting was along the same lines as in the past: the chairman and Crs. Mitchell, R. C. Harrow and J. W. Green against fluoridation and Crs. Rice, A. E. Wagner, W. E. Cassidy, C. B. Baker, and Adcock for it

Holding up a sheaf of papers, Cr. Baker said he had received a petition signed by 550 residents of his riding (Wairarapa) who were against the proposals to fluoridate. “That’s all right—so have I, with 600 signatures,” said Cr. V. P. Rabbitte of the Harewood riding.

Cr. Adcock: Let me see those petitions. He said it was obvious that the petition forms had been

duplicated on one machine and prepared by one person. “That is correct," said Mr Colligan. **l paid for them to be done at my own expense so that this council could get some idea of what the people want. Democratic Rights “I want to make it absolutely clear to all councillors that they are duty bound to protect the democratic rights of the people they represent. It was only two months ago that Cr. Adcock spoke of protecting the democratic rights of the people. Did he say that with his tongue in his cheek? “I am sure the people in your ridings will not forget the decisions made here tonight and I think you would have been very wise if you had listened to them,” said Mr Colligan. Cr. Rice said it was obvious that Mr Colligan had attempted to intimidate Crs. Rabbitte and Baker, who were both junior members on the council. “I have evidence that the chairman addressed a meeting in the Wairarapa riding and intimidated Cr. Baker,” he said.

Cr. Adcock then began a technical procedure concerning the council's standing orders which carried his final motion to victory. Cr. Adcock said he was tired of the “dictatorial tactics” of a small minority of councillors. “Six councillors formed a policy after due consideration and four councillors set about to frustrate it. “Deliberate Flouting” “Are we going to allow this deliberate flouting of our standing orders to continue?" he asked. He then referred to a clause in the standing orders which, in effect, said no notice of motion could delay a council decision if, in the opinion of the chairman, an attempt was being made by a minority to “frustrate the will of the council.”

Cr. Adcock said the particular clause enabled local bodies to work. If it were not there,

any councillor who disagreed with a council decision could delay action simply by giving notice of a motion.

He considered councillors had shown a flagrant disregard for standing'orders in the past. Mr Colligan said he knew the Hutt Valley fluoridation issue was going to the Privy Council and thought it unwise that equipment should be ordered until the Privy Council’s decision was given. Orders Suspended Cr. Adcock: I move that standing orders be suspended. Cr. Rice: Seconded. Mr Colligan: Carried. Cr. Adcock then moved his motions which ruled out further notices of motion on the issue and gave instructions to the engineer to order the necessary equipment immediately. He rounded this particular motion off by saying: “. . . the equipment be ordered regardless of any councillor or minority group of councillors. This instruction must be carried out.” He then moved that standing orders be restored; and councillors adjourned for supper. There was no further discussion.