F G Shears to H G Hinton Esq., 05 April 1944
I thank you for your letter of the 1st instant enclosing copy of a letter from Macer Okamoto.
From time to time we receive letters from Japanese protesting the sale of their property,
both real estate and chattels, and in some cases from a personal point of view their
reason is sound. However, with the policy laid down by Ottawa the complaints become one more of the many hardships falling on those of all nationalities
as a result of war conditions.
In regard to your suggestion "(a)" this is already in effect. We have been assured
by the British Columbia Security Commission that evacuated Japanese are fully aware
of the policy of liquidation of chattels and subject to their approval we are prepared
to ship personal effects upon a request prior to auction, the costs being defrayed
by the owners.
In regard to suggestion "(b)". While we do not think it desirable to endeavour to
arrange for this to be done to any great extent, upon request from the Japanese owner,
providing he has no creditors, we have no objection to transferring his goods to a
public storage to be taken care of at his own expense or delivered to any other person
provided that it is the owner's wish and that we are relieved from further responsibilities.
I expect Mr. McPherson will be here towards the end of the month and there are a few matters of general
policy which will be discussed when he arrives.
Yours truly,
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Title
F G Shears to H G Hinton Esq., 05 April 1944
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Encoder: Ariel Merriam
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