EXCLUSION MOVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22968, 21 February 1938, Page 11

EXCLUSION MOVE

AGITATION IN CANADA JAPANESE NOT WANTED A BILL TALKED OUT By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received February 20, 5.5 p.m.) OTTAWA, Feb. 19 The Prime Minister, Mr. W. L. Mackenzie King, in the House of Commons,, secured the shelving of a motion to exclude Japanese from Canada. Seven British Columbia members voted for the proposal. Mr. Mackenzie King said he was in full sympathy with British Columbia, but added that the problem was even more than for all Canada. I*; really was an Empire matter. Attention' was drawn by the Prime Minister to the Japanese resentment against their exclusion from the United States in 1934, and he added: "Are the people within Jap,m stirring up feeling against Britain, and what will be the situation in Japan to-morrow if a British Dominion adopts exclusion ? »

"British Columbia :is facing one problem now, but might bo facing another more menacing." The Prime Minister promised an investigation of alleged illegal entry of Japanese and to rigorously apply the gentlemen's agreement permitting the admission of only 150 annually. After the adjournment the seven British Columbia members launched a white British Columbia campaign. In a series of resolutions they demanded the elimination of Japanese from British Columbia fishing, an embargo on the export of war materials to Japan, the exclusion of Japanese seamen from Canadian ships, and Government overtures to Tokio proposing the abrogation of the gentlemen's agreement.

The Prime Minister stated that much might bo gained by negotiation. The British Columbia, members today unexpectedly revived the Exclusion Bill in the House. They insisted that action was urgent, but the bill was talked out by four Government members.

Mr. Jaglen said that Tokio would consider exclusion a blow to the national honour and that might lead to war and the whole of the British Empire might be dragged in. Japan might invade Australia. Mr. Arthur Slaght said he was convinced that the bill would bring about an invasion of British Columbia. WHITE PROVINCE STRENGTH OF DEMAND PETITION TO OTTAWA TWENTY ORGANISATIONS (Received February 20, 5.5 p.m.) VANCOUVER. Feb. 19 Determined to press Ottawa to make British Columbia a white province 20 organisations headed by the Native Sons of British Columbia and the Native Sons of Canada hare launched an Asiatic Exclusion League. A petition to Ottawa istates that the fear of jeopardising the relations between Canada and Japan is ridiculous. PROLONGED WARFARE JAPAN'S PREPARATIONS TOKIO, Feb. 18 Officials at Imperial headquarters announce the replacement find reorganisation of the Japanese forces in China to cope with long-term hostilities and the lengthening of communications. The Cabinet has approved the National Mobilisation Bill, which will be submitted to the Diet to-morrow. The Government is determined to force it through. RUSSIAN AIRCRAFT SHIPMENTS TO CHINA HANKOW, Feb. 18 The Chinese Government has signed a contract with an American firm for the establishment of an aircraft factory to be operative at the end of 16 months. Russian supplies of pilots and machines continue, while the Government is also buying English and American aircraft. PIRATICAL CHINESE SHANGHAI, Feb. 18 Two Chinese pirates were killed, five wounded and 45 captured while trying to escape. They had looted silk from an American warehouse in. Yangtsepoo and the International Settlement, and endeavoured to get away in junks.