The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-16
ASIATICs IN BRITISH COLUMBIA.
Consequences of rho Disallowance of Pro.
vincial Legislation.

yincial Legislation.
MONTREAL. Aug 1.-THE disallowance OF the
British Columbia anti-Asiatic legislation by
the Ottawa Government. and the resignation
following upon it Of the Hon. Joseph Martin
from the British Columbia cabinet are likely
to cause sharp conflict in that province. A
correspondent at Vancouver writes that Mr.
Shimizu. the Japanese consul there. states
that there are now over three thousand
Japanese in the province. and that they
are increasing at the rate OF several
hundred a month. There are also some
10000 Chinese between Vancouver and the
Rocky Mountains. and every steamer from
Asia brings from four to six hundred more
most OF whom remain in the country: but
good number are struggled by different routes
across the border. In combination with the
Italians. the Chinese and Japan ese are gradu-
ally driving Canadians out OF the fishing and
numbering industries. and the Italians are be-
ginning to supplaat them ON the railways
1t is against the Japanese. however, that
they privileged to enter the country without
any RESTRICTIONS such as are imposed on the
couraged no doubt by the success OF their
diplomacy In getting the Brit ish Government
to cause the disalowance Of tho provincial
anti-Japanese act, is ask ing that after GER
tain period OF residence the Japanese in Brit
ish Columbia be given the franchise. Against
Columbia protest in the strongest manner for
they say once that is given the control Of every
thing on the Pacific coast Of Canada would
pass under the control OF Asiatics in a few
years.
When the japanese Government protested
against the exclusion of its subjects from Brit
ish COlu m bia as an unfriendly act, Mr. Joseph
Cham berlain suggested that the act passed by
the Legislature OF Natal in South Africa deal
ing with Asiatcs should be adopted To this
the Hon. F. Carter Cotton, Finance Munster OF
British Colum bia. replied:
l. That Legislation on the lines Of the Natal
Act was not within the power of the British
Colum bia Legislature. but would be within the
com etence OF the Canadian Parliament being
somewhat similar to the Dominion Act imnos-
ing capitation tax Of $50 on each Chinaman
entering Canada.
. That the provisions OF the Natal Act would
not be effectual for the desired purpose al
though such legislation would impose re-
strictons on Japanese immigrants that would
probably be moro repuRnant to japan than
thosel complained OF in the British Column bia
legislation. To strengthen his argument
Mr.. Carter Cotton pointed out the danger Of
grave disturbance OF existing economic condi-
tions and of injury to the working classes OF
the province by large influx Of laborers from
Japan. and showed that it was on this ac-
count that the Canadian Government had de-
clined to, participate in the revised treaty
between England and japan. The answer Of
the British Colonial Office to this was the
disallowance Of the British Columbia anti
Asatic acts. To which the people OF British
Columbia are respond ing by n demand for the
re-enactment OF the laws excluding Asatics
from the province.