Rokusaburo Taniguchi and Mitsuye Taniguchi to Office of the Custodian of Enemy Property , 31 July 1944

c/o Brett & Young, Birds' Hill, Man. July 31, 1944.

File Nos. 5287

I was greatly shocked when I received your letter stating that you had sold my property. I was further shocked when I learned of the ridiculously low price at which you disposed of my land without discussing the matter with me. When I placed my property in your hands, I understood that you were to hold it for me for the duration. Little did I realize when I transferred it to you, that I would never seen it again. Had I known that you were to dispose of it in such an undemocratic was, I would have settled it for myself, for I had several good offers for this property. But I had no desire to exchange my property, which represents more than thirty years of sweat and hard labour, and the place where I spent the best years of my life, for a small handful of money. Money can never buy my youthful days spent uselessly, now, on that wonderful farm.

I am dissatisfied with the amount for which you disposed of the property. It is a very modern farm, with electricity and a good water system throughout all the buildings. The buildings on the farm alone are worth more than four thousand dollars ($4,000.00). Also the part (10 acre lot) which you have disposed of at the net total of sixty-four dollars ($64.44) was purchased by me for the sum of seven hundred and fifty dollars which is more than ten times the amount which you offer. To think of this alone brings tears to my eyes. It certainly is most disgusting, most unconstitutional on the part of the Custodian, the way in which they are carrying on, in regards to the property of the Japanese. Certainly you cannot call this a democratic way of life!

My valuation for this property is eight thousand dollars, ($8,000.00). I can say without the least doubt that my property which you have disposed of at the total of two thousand, seven hundred and sixteen dollars and seventy-eight cents ($2,716.78) is well worth eight thousand dollars, and so I am asking you to do better if not match my price which I have quoted above.

Please let me know as soon as possible if you can not possibly do a little better. If not, is there any way in which I can have this property returned to me, after the war?

I shall be very grateful to you if you will reply at your earliest convenience to the above address.