CANADIAN IMMIGRATION

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1921, Page 3

CANADIAN IMMIGRATION

HIGHER STANDARD &ET.

VANCOUVER, Dec 10.

In consequence of the Canadian farming fraternity having experienced one of the most bountiful harvests in the history of the Dominion during the past season, the Ottawa authorities have decided to tighten up on the extraordinary flow of immigration which lias set in recently and wth that object in view the Government has raised the sum that workers must have when arriving in the country from other climes. This action of the Federal Government will restrict immigration of certain classes and will thereby alleviate the condition of unemployment now prevailing in various parts of Canada. In passng an Order-in-Council, the Government raised the money test of immigrants of the mechanic, artisan, and labouring classes from 50 dollars to 250 dollars. The new order provides for the suspension of paragrap.is 1 to 3 of the former Order-in-Council applicable to these classes of immigrants and the substitution of four other paragraphs. The first provides that: “No immigrant ot the mechanic, artisan, or labour classes, whether skilled or unskilled, shall ho allowed to land in Canada, unless hej possesses, in his right, money to the amount of 250 dollars, and in addition, transportation to his destination in Canada.”

The second paragraph provides that if an immigrant belonging to the above classes is accompanied hv Ins family, he must possess, in addition to transportaton for the members of his family to their destination, a further sum of money equivalent to 125 dollars for every member aged 18 years or upward, and 50 dollars for each child’ of five years and under 18 years. The new~regulations were made effective along the international boundary on December loth., and at pecan ports on January Ist. They do not apply to other classes of immigration than those specified, nor to tourists, travellers, oi returning Canadians. The order stated, in opening, that a considcragle amount of unemployment prevails in parts of Canada, and that the prospects for employment are not likely to improve during, the next few months, but aside from this feature of the new Order-m-Conncil’s application,

it will effectually check tho rush of inexperonced people who have show n a desire to embark upon farming on the Canadian prairies, despite the fact that they have not'-learned of the extreme climatic conditions under which farming is carried on in the Dominion, and, furthermore, have had no grounding in tho agricultural industry. CASH SAFEGUARD. Jt would be no favour to a British artisan, mechanic, or labourer to admit him into Canada in the early winter unless lie- had means to maintain himself and any dependants ho brought with him until there was a demand ;nv his labour, and the money sums now fixed by the Ottawa authorities are deemed sufficient guarantee that, unless some misfortune arrives, the settler and his family will not become public charges during the winter of thenarrival.

Generally, the new restriction has been welcomed throughout the Dominion as a reasonable precaution, and it is recognised that then; arc some sanguine persons who need to he protected from themselves. Too o Hen adventurers, from the United States especially, have assumed that somebody will he ready to give them profitable employment the moment they arrive over the international boundary. In the summer the chances of quick employment at a trade or in some miscellaneous service are better and the necessities of the family not so great, so that the risk is much diminished. The first year of the life of the immigrant is the most critical period, and it is deemed fair that he should not begin it with the chances all against him. Steps have also been taken to slacken up the flow of immigration from tho Motherland, for acting upon advices from Ottawa, Colonel Obed Smith, superintendent of immigration in London has instructed agents throughout the (British Isles to slow up immigration to Canada.

Tlie reason advanced for a slackening of immigration by Ottawa is that business conditions in the United States are causing hundreds of Canadians who have been living in the United States to return to their Dominion home oities. It is stated that if the same conditions obtain in the spring the authorities will not carry out their plans to encourage a “record exodus” from England to the Dominion. Nevertheless, signs point to a large emigration from Britain throughout 1921, and steamship agents report that tliey are heavily booked up to May, and predict an exodus of skilled labour should industrial conditions in England fail to improve. It is stated that if tlu* same conditions obtain in the spring the authorities will not c arry out their plans to encourage a “record exodus” from England to tbo Dominion. Nevertheless, signs point to a large l , emigration, from Britain throughout 1921, and steamship agents report that they are heavily booked up to May, and predict an exodus of skilled labour should industrial conditions in England fail to improve. The stream of applications from former service men for free passage to Canada 'continues unabated, and as a result the authorities are literally overwhelmed with applications, to wait for many months before action can be taken on their case.

Complaint is being made that Canada has microscopic representation in London, whilst Australia and New Zealand have pretentious trade and settlement offices at the seat of tjie Empire, and to make matters worse for the prospects of Canada, South Africa has arrived in the metropolis with a big delegation and have opened handsdme offices where they are prosecuting a vigorous campaign for settlers to try their luck in South Afrea. Ontario believes that there will be a great influx of high-class farmers into that Canadian provided from Great Britain in the spring, however. CHOOSING CITIZENS. It is interesting to note that American Senators have had the subject of choosing their citizens under consideration recently as they are determined to keep their land for the white peoples of the globe. They do not want Orientals

any more than New Zealand aiid Australia, and sincerely regret that no laws exist in the United States to re- ■ strict Asiatic immigration such as prevail in the Antipodes. I An “arrangement” by the United States with Canada, Australia, and New Zealand in regard to Asiatic immigration, was advocated, by Senator Lodge in an address in Philadelphia. | “We have heard a great deal about leagues and agreements,” he said. ‘ “There is one arrangement I should like to make, and that is an arrangement ! with Canada, Australia, and New Zea- ; land in regard to Asiatic immigration, j Their danger is the same as ours and the shadow hangs darkest over Australia. We must face it, and it might

re well be understood it is in no sense a case of hostility to any nation, but there are certain great principles that must be accepted. One is that no one nation has the right or can find cause for war in the demand that her people shiill emigrate to another free country, as tile first sovereign right is the right to say who shall edme into the country ” Senator Lodge said he was “afraid” that the immigration laws “are not being properly enforced.” “I say that,” he added, “because the Department of Justice has ordered the deportation of many men who had come here in violation of our laws who are dangerous to the United 'States.”