Low turn-out in Rotorua fluoride poll irks council

Press, 19 June 1979, Page 13

Low turn-out in Rotorua fluoride poll irks council

PA Rotorua A low turn-out for a referendum on fluoridation of the Rotorua water supply failed to give the Rotorua District Council the clear expression of the town’s opinion it wanted to decide the issue. The Mayor (Mr J. E. Keaney) said the “disappointing turn-out of voters” in the poll did little to resolve his council’s dilemma on the issue. Only 25.94 per cent of nearly 26,000 people eligible voted. “This shows that the fluoride issue is not uppermost in the minds of the majority of rate-

payers,” said Mr Keaney. He was disappointed with the low turn-out and

now . asks whether the ! veiw of those who voted j is sufficient to alter a preI vious city council decision which put fluoride in the ( water.

A total of 7749 voted in the referendum. Of these

1278 (16.49 pet cent) were in favour of fluoride in the water supply, 5338 (68.89 per cent) were opposed, 89 votes were invalid, and there were 1044 special votes. Results of the poll will be discussed at a Rotorua Council meeting later this month. In Auckland the Dental Association has expressed its disquiet at the results o f the referendum. The association secretary' (Mr C. B. Ross) said: “We believe that the results are open to many different interpretations, and that it would be nothing less than a tragedy if the Rotorua District Council was persuaded to deprive the children of the area of the benefits of fluoridation which they now enjoy.”

He said most parents tended to assume that their local authority, with the benefit of expert opinion, could provide what is best for the community.