The Northwest times. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1947-1955, 1949-12-24
Japanese Return
To Fish in B. C.;
Whites Stirred
BY STAFF WRITER

VANCOUVER. B. c.. Dec. "a New
Canadian Dispatch)-The return of
Japanese fishermen to the B. c.
coast to re-engage in fishing is be-
coming a matter of some concern.
A Vancouver paper reported that
following the move of major coast
canneries in seeking the return of
Japanese Canadian fishermen from
the interior of British Columbia and
Alberta. there were indications that
white fishermen may oppose the
move.
The Vancouver Sun story reported
that a spokesman for the United
Fishermen and Allied Workers
Union said, We are not opposed
10 the Japanese on racial grounds.
but we are opposed to any recruiting
and financing of fishermen of any
nationality in other provinces for
the B. C. coast"
He was further quoted as stating
that there is already more than
sufficient fishing gear in operation
and any further recruiting would
tend to overcrowd the coast fishing
area.
Between $50 and 300 former fish
ermen we're contacted by the can
neries. according to the report.
In an earlier item in the Leth-
bridge News Herald. C. Salter,
cannery representative who was in
Lethbridge for the purpose of re-
hiring evacuees who were formerly
fishermen, was reported to have
claimed that 10 per cent, or more
than 300 of the Japanese who had
resettled in Alberta would return
to the coast to fish.
Both these news dispatches tend
to suggest that large number would
be returning TO the coast in 1850.
However, reliable sources estimate
that actually no more than 800 will
be back within the next two years.
In 1899. there were about 1900
Japanese Canadian fishermen How
ever. 1t Is ten years since then, and
many of them would be too old to
return to fishing. Others are too
well settled to move back The Nj
sci, on the whole, are not inclined
towards fishing as a livelihood. and
for any inexperienced person. 1t
would be too costly a venture.
Thus the 300 figure would not be
an understatement. Although 1t is
reported that 116 Japanese have
already taken out fishing licenses
this year, only about 30 have return
ed to the coast to fish. The others,
though they secured the permits,
remained in the Interior.
1t seems unfortunate that the ac-
ton of the canneries plus these
newspaper statements would tend to
create the impression that the jap
anese fishermen will flock to the
coast In 1850. and thereby spread
suspicion among the white fisher
men. There was a report that fish
ermen in one district were express
sing concern over the possibility of
cannery attempts to squeeze out
white and native Indian fishermen
by bringing in the japanese Cana
dams.
1t will be recalled that there was
a disturbance this spring about the
discriminatory practice of some
white fishermen towards the Jap
anese. which was serious enough
to necessitate union meeting to
re-affirm its non discriminatory po-
Icy.
In connection with the canneries
offering to finance Japanese fish
ermen. the JCCA issued a lengthy
report on the entire picture. urging
caution in accepting loans of this
nature. streSsing the need OF MAIN
tanning good relations with the
Union.
This, it would seem. would be the
best course for those considering
returning to the coast to enter the
fishing industry.