Tokio Morikawa to The Secretary of State and Mr. Alexander, 12 June 1944

Tokio Morikawa to The Secretary of State and Mr. Alexander, 12 June 1944

File no. 4990
Reg. no. 12929
June 12, 1944 518 William Ave., Winnipeg, Man.
To The Secretary of State, Dear Mr. Alexander:
In replying to your statement, Re - Selling of My Farm.
You have stated in your statement that notice was given to me beforehand, advising that my property was to be sold. I am sorry to say, that to the above matter, I was never been previously advised by your office. Your statement of May 12th came as a great surprise to me.
At the time of the evacuation I was promised by the Custodian that my property was to be held by the Custodian in good care for the duration and was to be returned to me without cost of any kind, after the war. I still thought to the day, till I received your notice, that the said promise was true, and after the war the land was to be returned to me.
As the matter stands today you have hence sold my farm and gave me credit for $986.00 (Nine hundred eighty six dollars). I do not think that this is an any way fair price to the land. As you must already know that I had 83.2 acres of land in the description you have stated in your statement. Description been Dawns Rd. Mt. Lehman, West half of S.E. quarter, Section 35, Twp. 13, district of New Westminster, C. of E. 50505. I am not satisfied by the selling price of which is $986.00 and of which you have given credit to me.
The price I am asking for the above mentioned land is $58.50 per acre. I think this is a fair price. The price you have disposed at is cheaper than at the time I purchased the land.
As I have stated previously in this letter that if the Custodian never gave me the promise to hold on to the land for me I had an opportunity to sell the land, crop and all for $3700.00 cash deal. I refused the offer for my mind was far from wanting to sell the land for after the war I wanted to return to take up where I left off once before, and also the Custodian's word.
I hope you could understand my feelings when I quote $58.50 as been a fair price.
You have sold my land for $986.00 but my selling price at present is $58.50 per acre.
Please think this matter over carefully and get me the price that I ask for. In conclusion, I thank you for your ever trying troubles to help us out.
I. remain, Yours truly,

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Tokio Morikawa to The Secretary of State and Mr. Alexander, 12 June 1944

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Encoder: Ariel Merriam
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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.