JAPS IN CANADA

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 64, Issue 4535, 11 February 1942, Page 7

JAPS IN CANADA

STEPS TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT INTENSIVE SURVEILLANCE A report issued by the High Commissioner for Canada in New Zealand says that the Prime Minister of Canada, the Rt. Hon. W. L. Mackenzie King, in a statement issued on January 14, announced the Government programme regarding persons of Japanese racial origin in British Columbia. In announcing the programme the Government reaffirms these fundamental principles : (1) National defence and victory are first and over-riding considerations. (2) Canadians of Japanese racial origin and Japanese nationals resident in Canada will be considerately treated. (3) Every feasible step should be taken to encourage the maintenance of a calm and reasonable attitude among Canadian citizens generally. The full force of the law will be invoked to prevent anti-Japanese demonstrations and to protect Canadian residents of the Japanese race.

(4) No action will be taken or permitted which would give any excuse to the Government of Japan for mistreating Canadians under Japanese control. Nor will any action be taken or permitted which would help Japanese anywhere to arouse Asiatic hostility against the white race. (5) Canada will continue to collaborate with Britain and the United States with a view to substantial coordination of their policies in relation to persons of Japanese racial origin with their respective jurisdictions. FISHING BOATS IMMOBILISED In accordance with these principles all fishing vessels operated by persons of Japanese racial origin on the Pacific coast had been immobilised. All persons of Japanese racial origin will be prohibited during the war against Japan from fishing or serving on fishing vessels or on other vessels operated by Japanese off the British Columbia coast. For the same period the sale of gasoline and explosives to persons of Japanese racial origin will be directly controlled under conditions to be prescribed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Japanese nationals will be forbidden to possess or use short-wave radio receiving sets, radio transmitters, and cameras. The present intensive surveillance of Japanese nationals will be continued

and the Defence of Canada Regulations will be strictly enforced. The Government programme provides further :

(1) It is intended to organise a civilian corps of Canadian Japanese to be used on projects of value to the national cause in order to utilise the services of the various groups of Canadian Japanese who have indicated their desire to serve. (2) Steps are being taken to provide for defining protected areas in Canada and, subsequent to a date to be announced, all enemy aliens of whatever origin, except those who possess permits from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, will require to have moved from such protected areas on the Pacific coast as may be defined. Arrangements will be made by the Federal Government to provide accommodation for persons thus removed. (3) A separate organisation will be

created to provide opportunities for the employment of adult male enemy aliens outside the protected areas on work of national value. LEASE OF PROPERTY (4) In order that the Canadian war effort may not suffer because of necessary restrictions placed upon persons of Japanese origin, the Government proposes to arrange at once, through the establishment of a special office in British Columbia, for the sale, lease, requisition, or charter, on equitable terms and to suitable persons, of fishing or other vessels and fishing equipment heretofore used or owned by Canadians of Japanese racial origin now immobilised on the Pacific coast. The removal of Japanese fishermen will place upon white fishermen and canners of the Pacific coast a heavy responsibility for seeing

that this removal does not reduce the total of fish caught, or increase prices at which the catch is made available to Canada, the United Kingdom, and to the united nations.

(5) In working out its plans the Government proposes to give special consideration to those persons of the Japanese race who served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in the World War. “The Government proposes,” the statement adds, “to carry through its programme with the utmost expedition and thoroughness.- It avails itself of this opportunity to reiterate what has already been said by the Prime Minister that while the utmost precautions will be taken to see that no illegal acts are committed by Japanese or by other enemy aliens resident in Canada, those who conform loyally to the regulations set out for their guidance will be given | every protection both for themselves and their property.”