Fluoride debate in Riccarton

Press, 13 August 1980, Page 7

Fluoride debate in Riccarton

A responsive audience of about 110 has heard arguments for and against the fluoridation of the Riccarton Borough water supply at the Riccarton Town Hall. The meeting, nearly did not begin, because a representative of “ the Canterbury branch of the Pure Water Association, Mr C. G. Marshall, did not agree with the speaking order. A motion from the floor of norconfidence in the chair was seconded, and the chairman, the Mayor of Riccarton (Mr R. W. J. Harrington) threatened to halt proceedings. Mr Marshall reluctantly agreed to be the first speaker. . He said fluoridation of the borough water supply was “mass medication without the public’s right to choose”. “No country has, to our knowledge, introduced fluoride within the last five years because of the controversy 1 surrounding it.” ; He accused “dental experts” of "quoting like a bunch of parrots” to their advantage to convince the public that fluoridation was necessary. > . Mr B. Stanley, a Christchurch dental surgeon, said Canterbury was regarded as a "dental disaster area” by world health authorities be-

cause of its lack of fluoridation. Only Waimarri County had the chemical in its water supply, introdubed 15 years ago.

Ironically sipping a glass of unfluoridated water, he said a $3 million dental expenditure bill a year in Canterbury could be deduced by fluoridation, as hiost of the work was preventable decay.

Riccarton residents can give their opinion in the local body elections ‘ this year. Their ballot papers will include a fluoridation polk