H G Hinton to F G Shears Esq. Acting Director, 01 April 1944

George A. Toughe & Co. Chartered Accountants

Bank of Toronto Building, Victoria, B.C.

1st April 1944.

F G Shears Esq.

Acting Director,

506 Royal Bank Building, Vancouver, B. C. Dear Mr. Shears:

I am enclosing a copy of a letter from a Japanese the contents of which are self explanatory.

This discloses a situation which is pretty general amongst the Japanese who have been evacuated and whose possessions have been taken into custody.

I would suggest, in order to avoid any unfortunate further incidents of this nature, that evacuated Japanese be informed that it is the intention of the Custodian to dispose by auction of all personal effects which have been seized. Should the owner thereof desire to obtain possession of any or all such articles he should be given the opportunity of : -

(a) Sending for such articles at no cost to the public. Such request on being approved by the Custodian will be carried out as has been done in many cases in the past.

(b) Having such articles either in whole or in part, transferred to the custody of an approved white person. If this alternative is adopted it will be at the risk and expense of the owner and no further liability will rest with the Custodian for the safe keeping of such articles.

Yours faithfully,

H G Hinton

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Title

H G Hinton to F G Shears Esq. Acting Director, 01 April 1944

Credits

Encoder: Ariel Merriam

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Source: Library and Archives Canada, Office of the Custodian of Enemy Property Fonds, C-1 Office Files

Terminology

Readers of these historical materials will encounter derogatory references to Japanese Canadians and euphemisms used to obscure the intent and impacts of the internment and dispossession. While these are important realities of the history, the Landscapes of Injustice Research Collective urges users to carefully consider their own terminological choices in writing and speaking about this topic today as we confront past injustice. See our statement on terminology, and related sources here.