CANCER RESEARCH CAMPAIGN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21165, 24 October 1930, Page 7

CANCER RESEARCH CAMPAIGN.

’exhibition and carnival. EFFORT BY MANUFACTURERS* ASSOCIATION. COMPREHENSIVE ARRANGE MENTS. AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING. For some time the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association has been working steadily in the direction of promoting an exhibition and carnival with the object of raising money to augment the amount already raised in Otago and Southland for the purpose of conducting research work in connection with the cancer The association has been fortunate in enlisting the services of an enthusiastic band of helpers, who have accomplished invaluable work in the way of arranging details in order to bring the venture to a successful issue. A meeting of the executive and all the committees was held in the Chamber of Commerce board room last night, and judging from the reports presented the carnival should be one of the most successful of its kind ever held in Dunedin, The movement is headed by Sir Louis Barnett as president and Mr J. Hogg as chairman of the various committees. The carnival will be opened on November 15, and will be continued until November 29.

ADDRESS BY SIR LOUIS BARNETT.

In the early part of the proceedings the chair was occupied by Sir Louis Barnett, who expressed his pleasure in presiding. He stated that the Manufacturers’ Association and the societies' which it had “roped in” to further the project were so keen and enthusiastic that it was really a delight to have anything to do with such a public-spirited lot of ladies and_ gentlemen. He was-present in his capacity as chairman of the Otago division of the Cancer Campaign. This was in the main a practical business meeting, and he did not propose to give a lead in connection with the practical and business details. It was thought fitting that he, as chairman of the cancer campaign in this, district, should make some introductory remarks as part of the propaganda connected with the movement. Sir Louis Barnett. stated that, many people were helping in a very material way, and he would like to pay his tribute of gratitude to the City Council for its assistance. He would like to mention that the Southland County Council had 'made a donation of £l5O and that the Invercargill City Council had given £IOO. The city councils in Otago and Southland were helping in a very generous way; and those concerned were very thankful to them. - ' Sir Louis went on to say that the last 70 or 80 years would be for ever memorable in history for the marvellous inventions, discoveries, and developments on land, on sea, and in the air. The children of to-day must find it hard to realise how many things their grandparents or greatgrandparents had to do without, and how many ills, hardships, and inconveniences they had to put up with as best they could. During this period medical science had taken a prominent part in all movements for the bettering of the lot of mankind. A truly .vast amount of sickness and suffering had been eliminated by .the devoted and, laborious researches of scientific % investigators.' What 1 a' revolution, for instance, had been brought about in surgery, by the abolition of pain at operations and the control of sepsis, and in medicine, by the discovery and understanding of disease-producing microbes, such as those of tuberculosis, diphtheria, typhoid, yellow fever, malaria, and scores of others. And every year these discoveries were being added to, and the newer knowledge about health and disease was passed on by the doctors to their, patients. In the laboratories of . our own Medical School at Dunedin.research work was always going on, and scientific contributions recognised as of world-wide importance had been made by various members of the staff, particularly in connection with goitre and hydatid disease. For many years past a veritable army of research workers had been engaged in various parts of the world in the study of that arch-fiend of all diseases, cancer. ’. Cancer research had proved peculiarly difficult, and called for an exceptional amount of expenditure in the way of time, labour, talent, .and money, but the good work went on, and the many mysteries of its causation and treatment were gradually be«ng revealed. Doctors now knew far more about cancer than they did, and far more cases were being cured than in former years. Earlier diagnosis enabled better results to be obtained from care-fully-planned operations. Radium and X-ray treatment was becoming better understood, and in many cases was taking the place of operations, notably in cancers of the uterus, lip, tongue, throat, and skin. In these cases radium applications in. a comparatively simple and inexpensive manner gave equally good, if not better, results than the muchrdreaded operations formerly regarded as the patient’s only hope. But alas the melancholy fact remained that far more cases of cancer were occurring, and year after year more deaths were recorded as being due to this terrible affliction.

; _ Why was cancer increasing so alarmingly? Why vjhen once established was it so deadly- in its progress? How could it best be prevented? How could it best be cured? These were some of the prob lems that cried aloud for solution, and the British Empire was responding to that piteous appeal. Under the presidency of the Duke of York a world-wide campaign of laboratory and clinical research had been organised in England with carefully - co-ordinated branches in the overseas dominions. He represented that night the Otago and Southland division of the New Zealand branch of this great Empire campaign. In each of the main cities of New Zealand cancer clinics and radium departments had been established, and were already doing useful work but to the division, owing to its intimate connection with the Medical School, had been entrusted the special responsibility of conducting the laboratory and the statistical work for the whole Dominion. He could assure them that there were many aspects of laboratory work that could be as well carried out in Dunedin as anywhere else in the world, provided these laboratories were , well staffed and well equipped. They had in Dr A. M. Begg a scientist with seven years’ experience in one of the most noted cancer research laboratories in England, and he was to have such professional assistance as he required, including the services of a highly-trained technician with whom he previously worked in England. They intended to have the laboratory work in Dunedin, the clinical work, the radium work, the statistical work, and the publicity work all on the highest possible plane. They required a large sura of money for these purposes, and they believed they would get it They had asked the people of Otago and Southland to give £25,000, and the initial response had been most gratifying. The appeal struck a sympathetic chord. Almost everyone when approached by members of the Finance Committee, gave a subscription, and, what was more, said they were glad to give it. Many of their leading citizens and business firms and their employees gave with splendid generosity, and the sympathetic and valuable assistance given by the newspapers was really beyond praise. They had* at present oyer £15,000 in hand. Southland’s contribution, which was now £BSO, and was expected to exceed £IOOO, had yet to come in. and they had not so far spread the appeal effectively amongst the great mass of the people, the small traders and farmers, and tile wage earners, in such a way as to make it easy for them to contribute with their shillings and halfcrowns to the expenses of a movement in which they also were deeply and sympathetically interested.

When they heard of the public-spirited offer of the Manufacturers’ Association to organise an exhibition and carnival for the benefit of the cancer campaign their hearts were filled with gratitude and appreciation. They felt that with wise and enthusiastic control and with the welcome and valuable help given by the Commercial Travellers’, the Women’s Club, the Nursing Corns, the Home Science Department, the Dunedin bandsmen, the City Council, Mr Tannock, and others, this venture was likely to prove an outstanding success. They were providing not only &a attractive entertain*

ment, and a demonstration of what Otago manufacturers could do, but also an opportunity for a great many town and country visitors -to show their sympathy in tangible fashion with one of the greatest medical movements ever organised for the lessening of human suffering and the saving of valuable lives. On behalf of the Otago and Southland division of the Cancer Campaign ho thanked them warmly for their friendly and valuable co-operation. PROGRESS OF THE MOVEMENT. The chair was then taken by Mr Hogg, who extended a cordial welcome to the representatives of the Otago Women's Club and the members of the various associations. He was pleased to see Cr Shacklock, chairman of the Electric Power and Lighting Committee, which was helping considerably in connection with the arrangements for lighting in the Drill Hall. _ The Christchurch Manufacturers 3 Association was endeavouring to secure exhibits, and Mr P, B. Foote, who was well known in Dunedin, was doing his best to secure, exhibits from Timaru. They appreciated the presence of Sir Louis Barnett, and felt sure that the, 1 appeal made by him would meet with a ready response on the part of the public. Practically every manufacturer had responded to the appeal by taking space. The manufacturers, on being approached by the Cancer Campaign Committee, decided unanimously to forgo their own proposed exhibition for the purpose of raising funds, and to throw their weight and organisation whole-heartedly behind the Cancer Fund appeal. It was felt that all the members of the association would approve of this action, and would join in the worthy effort to raise funds to combat cancer—an effort in which every citizen should be behind the medical profession in its excellent work in this direction. The manufacturers would be able to make a most comprehensive display of New Zealand-made goods, and the Drill Hall, which had been made available by the Defence Department, through Major Mead, lent itself to the occasion. The City Council had generously offered the services of the city electrical engineer (Mr Henderson) and of the superintendent of reserves (Mr t Tannook), aud would provide free lighting, power, and decorations. The Women's Club, with Miss Williams as convener and Miss Burt as organiser, had thrown itself wholeheartedly behind the project, and had hundreds of women working and preparing to supply goods for the tea rooms and other departments Of the carnival. The Commercial Travellers’ Association had volunteered its services, and would provide workers during the term of the exhibition. Other organisations, including the Retail Grocers’ Association and Toe H, had offered their services, so that all the work would be done by voluntary helpers. Although the effort had been under way -for only about three weeks,* practically the whole of the space was already booked, knd the balance would be disposed of at an early date. A souvenir booklet was being prepared for sale on the and at the Drill Hall, and instead of being printed in CUe usual stereotyped fashion it would be brightened up by the inclusion of cartoons of leading members of the medical profession and other prominent citizens. An unusually-small charge—6d for adults and 3d for children, with season tickets at 2s 6d —would be made, so as to encourage large numbers of people to visit the exhibition and carnival frequently. All_ of the city and suburban bands were giving their services, and- would provide music every evening during the 13 days for which the exhibition would run. The Miniature Rifle Association was promoting a miniature rifle tournament, and a strong committee was controlling the arrangements. for the usual side shows to provide entertainment for, all. The whole' effect would provide a notable carnival effort, and should be the most outstanding effort made in Dunedin since the New Zealand and South, Seas ..Exhibition in 1925-26, The display of New Zealandmade goods would also draw special attention to' the necessity for purchasing New Zealand goods and providing more avenues for the employment of our own people. It was expected that the public of Dunedin would rise to’ the occasion and give their enthusiastic support to the great cause for which the exhibition was being promoted. REPORTS. Reports were presented by the conveners of the various committees. These showed that comprehensive arrangements were being made in regard to all the details and that generous offers of assistauc had been -received from many quarters. Gratification was expressed at the success of the work accomplished so far, and those responsible for the arrangements were cordially thanked for what they had done.. The cordial cooperation of the Headmasters’ Association was promised by Mr W. F. Abel; ' who stated-that probably 1000 school children would be present at the carnival every . afternoon. The services of two school bands would also be available if they were required. VOTE OF THANKS. A special vote of thanks was accorded Messrs Chandler _ and Co. for their offer of free advertising space on the trams and hoardings and the Bruce Woollen the provision of season tickets.