Canada's recent decision to register all Japanese residents in the Dominion is expected to go far toward solving controversies over the status of the Japanese in Canada, 92 per cents of whom reside in British Columbia, reports the "Christian Science Monitor." While Japanese were required to participate in the general registration some months ago, they were not called upon to state whether or not they entered Canada legally. The new registration will deforming this point, giving to bona fide Japanese residents the protection to which they are entitled by law. Those unable to prove legal entry are to be deported.
The new registration order has revived once again one of British Columbia's most important racial, political and economic controversies caused by the presence of some 23.000 Japanese the Province, many of them engaging in primary industries or in highly competitive trades.
At its last session the British Columbia Legislature reaffirmed its attitude against allowing Japanese to vote in the provincial election. Japanese have repeatedly sought the right 'o vote and a few years ago sent a deputation to the House of Commons at Ottawa to argue the case, The Federal authorities recognized that it was primarily an issue for British Columbia to settle, and British Columbia promptly went on record against giving the franchise not only to Japanese but to all Orientals.
While no Japanese are now entering Canada, the official attitude toward the Japanese has been to avoid scrupulously any acts which constitute a breach with the Tokyo Government, specially in matters affecting immigration. While Canada arbitrarily refused entry of other Asiatics in recent years. Japanese have been restricted only by a "gentleman's agreement," obviously discriminatory against China in favour of Japan, but dictated by a desire not to offend the Japanese, not so much because of Canada's interest but because of the delicate condition of Anglo-Japanese affairs in the Far East.
Japan has complained. through its Consuls. of unfair treatment politically and economically. Charges in British Columbia have centred about Japanese refusal to ce-operate. It is charged that Japanese influence in commerce has frequently lei to domination with the result thet living standards have deteriorated.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.