CANCER RESEARCH

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1928, Page 7

CANCER RESEARCH

AUSTR-ALI AN PROGRESS. A STABILISING SCI! FAIR. SYDNEY, Oct. 2ff. It is evidene from the many inquiries that come from the Dominion, that New Zealanders are greatly interested in the cancer campaign which has gradually developed in Australia. In each of the States there are separate funds for cancer research, and these have been subscribed to liberally by the people. However, it is feared that if each State conducts its own campaign their will be unnecessary overlapping and waste ol money. Consequently a proposal has lieon made that the headquarters should be in Sydney, arid that research work should be stabilised. The Commonwealth Government bought radium to lie distributed throughout Australia for the treatment of cancer eases. Arrangements have been made for its use, hut in some States it is not possible to evolve a scheme on any basis other than one that would involve a terrific overhead cost, duplicating those works undertaken in Sydney. The Sydney operations are likened to the front line of trenches already occupied and engaging the enemy. So far New South Wales is the only State that has produced any plan for dealing with the many problems involved in the campaign. It has established a clinic, developed research, and proposes developments in the country districts.

Some consideration has been given to the development of organisations in Queensland and South Australia, bill those in authority in those States say that while treatment might he lyovided, it would be a waste oi effort, and create misunderstanding, if research organisations, such as those established in New South Wales were multiplied. They have suggested an All- Australian scheme, with ■headquarters in Now South Wales* where so much ground work lias already been done. One State lias come forward with a tentative suggestion that, rather than -build up an organisation of ils own. they should subsidise such a unit in the scheme, realising that central direction and study oi the cancer scourge would have much greater effect in lessening the mortality and relieving the suffering of the patients. It remains for the Commonwealth authorities to say whether such a. proposal should be adopted.