FLUORIDE AGAIN DEBATED BY RATEPAYERS GROUP
A major discussion on the question of the fluoridation of Taupo's water supply resulted in Taupo Citizens and Ratepayers' Association asking Taupo Borough Council to defer work on the project until a referendum had been held.
The chairman, Mr D. Bartlett, emphasised that the association was neither for nor against fluoride, but was against the principle of putting it into the water supply without first obtaining a mandate from the people in the form of a referendum. I Mr F. R. Bryce said he thought fluoride was a major issue and that a petition had been presented to the council and had not been respected. He felt that a democratic principle had "been violated. - • Mr C. J. N. Newbold, a borough councillor, said he had been given a frle containing literature both for and against fluoride when he was newly elected to >the council.
He had read this and came to the conclusion that the duty of local government was to see that democracy was preserved. He decided to oppose fluoridation because compulsion was not
in accordance with the rights of individuals. It was not in accordance with democratic principles that anyone should be forced to take something they don't want. He said that the decision had been made arrogantly and without oue single valid reason and was a direet contravention of the United Nations Charter of Human Rights. Considerable discussion | took place on the way that the Mayor's casting vote wAs used in this matter.
A session of cross-ques-tions was carried on between Mr R. W. Mitchell (against fluoride) and Mrs D. J. Dickinson (for fluoride) until Mr Bartlett, brought the meeting back to the main question of the referendum. Mr Gray then said that he felt that a referendum would endorse the action of the council in fluoridating the water, but that a referendum should be held anyway and that he thought as this was a health matter, the Government should pay for the cost of it.
After more discussion, it was eventually moved, "That the council be msked to defer any works on the fluoride until the election when a referendum be held in conjunction with the local body elections. '
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TAUTIM19650624.2.10
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Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 49, 24 June 1965, Page 1
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369FLUORIDE AGAIN DEBATED BY RATEPAYERS GROUP Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 49, 24 June 1965, Page 1
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