Item 3 - Letter from Frederick W. Fletcher to Huia Onslow

Has delayed replying to Onslow's letter until hearing from Professor Hopkins; received a letter this morning 'speaking in high terms' of Onslow's qualifications. Is 'deeply interested in the cancer problem' and has periodically done what he could 'to assist pathological research''; the results have so far been of 'negative value', and Fletcher is 'inclined to think that the workers in this field cannot see the wood for the trees'. 'A Pasteur' is needed, who 'whilst conversant with what has been done, can survey the question from an unbiassed standpoint, and strike out a line of his own'. Biochemistry seems to him 'the most promising key to unlock the mystery of the causation of cancer'. If Onslow is prepared to take up this question and 'devote yourself to it exclusively', Fletcher is willing to help as much as he can. Would like to know whether Onslow has already done any work in this direction, and whether he is 'acquainted with the best English and French researches' so he will not go over 'old ground'.