It’s been a fine afternoon in Hamilton so I thought I would wander in to the Fluoride Free Hamilton Information meeting. Should have known better.

Didn’t stay long as the chairman announced first thing that the audience had to remain quiet during the meeting, no heckling or questions were allowed – anyone with a question had to write it down and hand to an organiser. A few of us gasped “What, no questions or comments from the floor?” The chairman responded – “Last warning” – this would treated as a disruption and we would be thrown out.

So I left. No point really. This wasn’t an “information meeting” it was a propaganda meeting – in the Stalinist mould.

On the way out I told one of the organisers this was a highly unusual procedure for an information meeting. She assured me that if I wrote down my question I would get a chance to ask it. I picked up the pen and paper, whereupon another organiser assured me that a written question might be read out to the audience by the chairman and the panel would comment. However, no member of the audience could ask their own question or respond to answers.

Seems incredible, but it is consistent with the way Fluoride Free bans comments on their Facebook pages. But it really is hypocritical for them to then moan because the DHBs refuse to “debate” them. And for them to turn up to DHB meetings, as they did in Hastings, to ask questions.

It really also puts those commenters here who ally with Fluoride Free in an ethically awkward position. We welcome their questions and comments (as long as there is no abuse or harassment). Perhaps they should have a word to the Fluoride Free people.

Oh well, a wasted Sunday afternoon. But every cloud has a silver lining – I did manage to get in a good walk – and that has been difficult lately with the rain and the World Cup races.