WAR AGAINST CANCER

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 140, 9 March 1929, Page 10

WAR AGAINST CANCER

”, 'EMPIRE CAMPAIGN LOCAL BRANCH FORMED MESSAGE FROM DUKE OF YORK What was described by the chairman (Mr. M. Luckie) as an important, but not too well-attended meeting, was held at the Concert Chamber last night, when a New Zealand branch of the British Empire Cancer Campaign was formed. The Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) said that there was ho more appealing subject that could be placed before the people than that in which Mr. Sampson Handley was interested. He was sure that the Gov'ernment would do its part in promoting the movement against the scourge of cancer, which was doing more injury to the human race than any other disease. He congratulated Mr. Handley on giving the lead to the people of New Zealand and upon giving so much of his valuable time to the formation of a branch In New Zealand. ■ Mr. Handley’s Suggestions. Mr. Handley, who was loudly applauded, said that since the establishment of a Ministry of Health at Home, following on the great example set.by Sir Joseph Ward in New Zealand, there .had been a marked improvement In the health of the people. In the matter of cancer, however, the Old Country had taken the lead, and.it was hoped that the Dominion would fall into Hne. The laymen as weH as the doctors would have to lend a hand in the war against cancer. The campaign had secured the approval and .patronage of His Majesty the King, and since its beginning had collected about £200,000. The central body had taken steps In connection with the education of the public in the early signs of cancer by lectures and literature; and a monthly journal was issued for the assistance of research workers. The movement was' helped by the Imperial Cancer Research Fund, which was under the joint management of the R6yal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons. The Grand Council was composed of seventy of the leading-public and medical men, of Great Britain, the Marquis of Reading being chairman. Mr. Handley stressed the need of attacking the problem fearlessly and courageously. Cancer was not incurable; it was being cured daily. Many people were afraid to place themselves under observation. . The skeleton had become more terrible than the reality. It .was for the doctors to take the’skeleton out of the cupboard and examine It The Cawthron Institute in New Zealand had rendered very valuable service, likewise the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. He suggested that similar time and energy should be put ipto the battle against cancer. If the pick of New Zealand's medical graduates were given the opportunity to study the disease overseas It would be to the advantage not only of the Dominion but also' to those engaged In the work. Their time certainly would not be lost He thought that a special hospital for cancer patients should be established In New Zealand. : “In initiating a branch in this country," said Mr. Handley, “yon are taking a pioneer step, but the work should not be difficult .for the sons of pioneers.” (Applause.)

Inevitable That Scourge Be Conquered.

Dr. J. S. Elliott, president of the New. Zealand branch of the 8.M.A., said that His Excellency the Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson) had graciously bestowed his patronage upon the movement here. Although they had only begun, there was evidence that widespread public interest was being aroused in the movement. They owed a deep debt of gratitude to Mrs. Tom Dwan for her very generous donation. (Applause.) No single individual in the world was immune from cancer. It was inevitable that the dreadful scourge would be conquered. “We can now hear the drum taps of a new and great army that it marching to attack systematically this enemy,” said Dr. Elliott. “It is being attacked on a far greater and far grander scale than was known or dreamt of ever before.’’ The fear of cancer was widespread and akin to the fear of insanity; it was greater than the fear of poverty. “We will hit this bugbear of the human race, and we will hit it hard. Why should we spare it? It spares neither man, woman nor child." Of the deaths in New Zealand for 1927, 11.4 per cent, were due to cancer. If the Dominion was too small to go into the problem, then it was too small for a medical university. It was only a question of time when the scourge would be banished. He moved:—■ “That a New Zealand branch of

the British Empire Cancer Campaign • be established and incorporated, with headquartersiin Wellington, and such local divisions established throughout New Zealand as will be found practicable and desirable.” Seconding the resolution, Dr. W. E. Collins, M.L.C.,' said that much could be done towards conquering the disease if a sufficient sum of money was raised to equip research laboratories in New Zealand. The'public had a large say in the matter, and he. hoped that besides contributing financially they would visit the doctor at least once a year for an overhaul or examination. If that was done the disease would be attacked in its early stages and the mortality lowered by one half in ten years. The resolution was carried unanimously. ’ , _ The following motion, moved by Dr. W. E. Herbert and seconded by Mr. T. A. Hunter, was also carried: — “That a central general committee be established, the following to be invited to be members of it: Sir Robert Stout, Sir Francis Bell, Sir Frederick Chapman, Lady Luke, Mr. P. Fraser, M.P., Hon.' Dr. Collins, M.L.C., Dr. J. S. Elliott. Hon. W. H. Triggs, Sir Heaton Rhodes, Sir Lindo Ferguson, Sir James Gunson, Mrs. Parks, Mr. G. Shirtcliffe and Mr. W. H. Hunt, and that the chairman of the Hospital Boards and Mayors of the four centres be ex-officio vice-presidents of that committee." _ , Moved by. Mr. P. Eraser. MP and seconded by Mr. C. M.. lowing motions were carried... "That power be given to the central general committee to appoint a president, ..secretary and treasurer, And such other officers as may be necessary, and to take such steps that may be necessary for theiincorporation of the New. Zealand branch. And that Dr. Elliott and Mr. A. K. S. McKenzie be asked to act as trustees of the funds collected pending the incorooration of the branch. . P A heartv vote of thanks was passed to the Prime Minister for his 68™ce fLn Crnvpt’HiTiMit would do its part ‘and to M ffiley for his assistance and promise of futiweWo-onoration. Cable from Duke of York. During the meeting the chairman announced amidst anplause that Mr. Sampson Handlev had handed him the following cablegram from the Duke of Tork « : f w}s j, vou all success in establishing a branch ofthe.British Fmnire Cancer Campaign in New Zealand and shall watch With every interest progress of your work to. the campaign against cancer—the greatest enemy of civilisation.” Proceedings closed with the surging of Anthem,..