The Star. THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1922. FIGHTING CONSUMPTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16748, 1 June 1922, Page 6

The Star. THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1922. FIGHTING CONSUMPTION.

The conference of Hospital Boards which met at Timaru yesterday tackled the question of providing a sanatorium in the southern part of the South Island with a surprising amount of celerity. The accumulated difficulties of years seemed to be brushed aside, and the conference was practically unanimous. It is perhaps somewhat disappointing, from a provincial point of view, to find that the Ashburton and Timaru districts were unable to come in with North Canterbury, and took the course of joining forces with Otago and Southland. The fight against consumption, however, is not a provincial, but a national, matter, and there need be no serious regrets about the step that has been taken. One point of view is that if the rest of Canterbury had come in with Christchurch the patients from the southern districts would have been much more accessible to relatives and friends. Going away to Central Otago the majority of the Canterbury patients will be practically cut off from home and family associations, which arc very highly prized by sick people. This, however, is a consideration which could not be. weighed too heavily in the scale when the great advantages of the site came under review. It seems to be unanimously agreed that the climate of Central Otago is specially favourable for the treatment of consumptive*, and the etsablishment of a sanatorium there is a wise move. The most pleasing feature of the conference, however, was the evidence it gave of the rising determination to fight the disease on national lines. It iR very desirable indeed that the hospital boards should co-operate with each other, and make their organisation as effective a* pos-* aible. Much ground has been lost in the past by the lack of unity, and the time has come for a proper co-ordin-ation of effort. The southern part of the island having decided to join forces, it has given a. lead to those parts of the Dominion where proper organisation i 6 lacking- It is in this direction that the Health Department can render very valuable help, and impress on the Hospital Boards concerned the importance of showing some activity. The public has been well educated as to the necessity for fighting the white plague, and it will heartily approve of on effective and progressive policy.