_ —_ PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA REPORT ON ORIENTAL ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE PROVINCE Prepared for the LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Cf printed by authority of the legislative assembly. VICTORIA, B.C. : Printed by Chables P. Banfield, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty. 1927. INTRODUCTION. THE LACK of statistical and other information in a readily available form has been found by members of the Legislature when the question of Oriental penetration of British Columbia has come up for deliberation. The information was known to be in existence, but scattered through governmental and municipal records. When the Advisory Board of Farmers' Institutes was in session during the legislative session of 1925,; considering representations to be made to the Select Standing Committee on Agriculture, the need for a survey covering all fields of activity and including city, country, and unorganized territory was a subject of discussion. The members of the Board expressed the opinion that the resolutions presented and statements made from time to time on this important matter could not be intelligently dealt with until a true presentation of the whole situation was available. The following resolution was, therefore, adopted by the Board:— " Whereas reports appear to indicate that serious and continued inroads by the Oriental are being made into all lines of business activity throughout the Province: " And whereas there is an absence of accurate information concerning the extent of the hold gained by him in any and every direction in British Columbia: " Therefore we request that your Committee recommend to the Legislature that a report be prepared on this subject, making available this desired information, which should cover every phase of activity." On this resolution being presented to the Committee on Agriculture, that body at once requested the Honourable the Minister of Agriculture to have the necessary data prepared before another session, so that the whole situation might be intelligently placed before the members of the House. The Bureau of Provincial Information and the statistician to the Department of Agriculture were instructed to give effect to the request, and the information, contained in the present report was assembled during the recess and placed before the Select Standing Committee on Agriculture as soon as it organized for the session of 1926-27. Another resolution submitted by the Advisory Board at the same time as that quoted above was in the following terms :— " Resolved, That the Legislature be requested to investigate as to whether legislation can be enacted to prevent Chinese and Japanese from owning, selling, leasing, or renting land in British Columbia, or, in the alternative, imposing conditions upon their rights of ownership." In transmitting this resolution to the House with its endorsation the Committee stated the opinion that it was absolutely reasonable and most desirable. The opinion of the people of British Columbia upon the whole subject of Oriental immigration, land-holding, and competition in trade has been affirmed and reaffirmed several times over a long period of years by the voice of their representatives in the Legislative Assembly. The last occasion upon which this considered declaration was made by the people of the Province which suffers most from the evils of Oriental penetration was December 17th, 1924, when the following resolution, was supported from all parts of the House, and was adopted unanimously:— " Whereas there were in British Columbia, according to the last Dominion census, 23,532 Chinese and 15,006 Japanese: " And whereas statistics show that there is a very large natural increase of Orientals in British Columbia, multiplying each succeeding year to an alarming extent: " And whereas the standard of living of the average Oriental is far below that of the white man, thus enabling him to live comfortably on a much lower wage than our white men: " And whereas the Orientals have invaded many fields of industrial and commercial activities to the serious detriment of our white citizens: " And whereas considerable unemployment always exists in British Columbia, partly due to the fact that large numbers of Orientals are filling situations in our industrial and commercial life which could be filled by our white citizens : " And whereas the Orientals are fast invading the commercial areas of many municipalities and districts of British Columbia, carrying on commercial and industrial pursuits: " And whereas many of our white merchants are being forced out of business by such commercial and industrial invasion : . , "Therefore be it Resolved, That this House go on record as being utterly opposed to the further influx of Orientals into this Province; and, further, that this House places itself on BB 4 British Columbia. 1926 record as being in favour of the enactment of such amendment to the ' Immigration Act of Canada ' as is necessary to completely prohibit Asiatic immigration into Canada. " Be it further Resolved, That the Government of the Dominion of Canada be respectfully requested to grant adherence on tbe part of Canada to no treaty or binding international obligation in any form whatsoever having the effect of limiting the authority or power of Provincial Legislatures in respect of the regulation of social and industrial activities within the Provinces; and, further, that the Government of the Dominion of Canada be respectfully requested to forthwith take the action necessary to bring about the denunciation of any and all treaties in so far as the terms and provisions of the same have the effect of depriving the Dominion of Canada of the power of regulation, control, and prohibition of Asiatic immigration. " Be it further Resolved, That this House is also of the opinion that the field of industrial and commercial activities of all Orientals now in Canada and particularly British Columbia should be restricted by legislation. "And be it further Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, praying that he cause a copy of this resolution to be transmitted to the Hon. the Secretary of State or other proper official at Ottawa, for presentation to His Excellency the Governor-General in Council." A copy of this was sent forward to the Federal Government and its receipt acknowledged in due course. The facts assembled by the Bureau of Provincial Information from official sources bring out the following, among other, phases of the question:— (1.) That at the beginning of 1927 the Oriental population of the Province is at least 46,500, or, in other words, 1 in every 12 persons. (2.) That the Japanese birth-rate is 40 per 1,000, as compared with a general birth-rate of all races, except native Indians, of 18 per 1,000. (3.) That the increase in the Japanese population through the excess of births over deaths is greater by more than 2 to 1 than the immigration of people of that race. (4.) That the arrivals of Japanese women have greatly outnumbered the arrivals of men for several years past, and that at the present time two women come in for every man that enters. (5.) That of the Oriental arrivals in Canada for the past twenty years British Columbia got 80 per cent, of the Chinese, over 98 per cent, of the Japanese, and nearly 99 per cent, of the Hindus. (6.) That Orientals own land and improved property in British Columbia to an aggregate value of $10,491,250 and lease property valued at $1,099,500. (7.) That over 11,300 Orientals are employed in industries of the Province, and that, for instance, while the proportion employed in the lumbering industry generally has been reduced to 20 per cent., there are between 30 and 40 per cent, employed in saw and planing mills and close on 50 per cent, in shingle-mills. (8.) That in 1925 there were 3,231 Asiatics carrying on in licensed trades and callings, and that in the cities they constitute an incredibly large percentage of the total number of licensees in some callings. (9.) That in three years the number of Japanese children in the public schools has increased by 74 per cent., while in the same time the number of white children has increased by 6 per cent. (10.) That in the fishing industry, upon which the Orientals appeared to have a strangle-hold a few years ago, the policy of a gradual reduction in the number of licences allowed to them is bringing the industry back into the hands of white and native Indian fishermen. The statistical branch of the Department of Agriculture brings out the following facts regarding the Oriental in agriculture:— (1.) That in the four years from 1921 to 1925 the acreage of land owned by Orientals increased by approximately 5,000 acres and the land leased by approximately 1,500 acres. (2.) That of the acreage in small fruits at the present time the proportion held by Oriental growers is 30.6 per cent., while in number they constitute but one-seventh of the growers; the holdings average 1% acres to each white grower and 4 acres to each Oriental grower. (3.) That with the development of production under glass, which has been quite marked of late years, the Oriental is more and more increasing his hold on this branch of the industry; that where in 1923 he constituted 9 per cent, of growers with 28 per cent, of glass area, in 1925 he constituted 13 per cent, of growers with 37 per cent, of glass area. 17 Geo. 5 Oriental Activities. BB 5 (4.) That while the total increase in glass area between the 1923 and 1925 greenhouse surveys was 22 per cent., the increase in white operation was but 8 per cent, and the increase in Oriental operation 58 per cent. (5.) That the handling of produce and garden-truck by peddlers or hucksters is almost entirely in the hands of Chinese, and that the same applies to the sale of vegetables in stores, to the extent of 91 per cent, in one city. ORIENTAL POPULATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA. There are no official statistics of the present population of the country in any particular. It is possible, however, to get a fairly close approximation of the Oriental population of British Columbia at, say, the end of 1925, by taking the Dominion census and immigration records and the natural increase shown by the Provincial vital statistics. On this basis it appears that at the date mentioned there would be in this Province 25,216 Chinese, 19,455 Japanese, and 1,103 Hindus, or a total of 45,774 people of Oriental races. The Census Office estimate of the population of the Province at June 1st, 1925, was 560,500, so that the approximate proportion of Orientals would be 82 in every 1,000. Pel. Cent of Total in Canada. Chinese in British Columbia at census, 1901 14,885 Chinese in British Columbia at census, 1911 19,568 Chinese in British Columbia at census, June 1st, 1921 23,533 Immigration, fiscal year 1921-22 Immigration, fiscal year 1922-23 Immigration, fiscal year 1923-24 Immigration, fiscal year 1924-25 Immigration, April-December, 1925 Births, 245 ; deaths, 227; natural increase, 1923 Births, 228; deaths, 201; natural increase, 1924 Births, 212; deaths, 195; natural increase, 1925 995 326 341 IS 17 25,257 Births, 197; deaths, 223; natural decrease, 1921.. Births, 216; deaths, 231; natural decrease, 1922.. 26 15 41 Estimated Chinese in British Columbia, December 31st, 1925 25,216 Increase over census, 1901 Japanese In British Columbia at census, 1901 4.597 Japanese in British Columbia at census, 1911 8,587 Japanese in British Columbia at census, June 1st, 1921 15,006 Immigration, fiscal year 1921-22 Immigration, fiscal year 1922-23 Immigration, fiscal year 1923-24 Immigration, fiscal year 1924-25 Immigration, April-December, 1925 (estimated).. Births, 592; deaths, 142; natural increase, 1921.. Births, 585; deaths, 190; natural increase, 1922.. Births, 657; deaths, 161; natural increase, 1923.. Births, 672; deaths, 154; natural increase, 1924.. Births, 743; deaths, 178; natural increase, 1925.. 452 350 422 481 320 450 395 496 518 565 Estimated Japanese in British Columbia, December 31st, 1925 19,455 Increase over census, 1901 86.0 70.5 59.4 69.4% Per Cent. of Total in Canada. 97.0 95.2 94.6 323.21% Hindus in British Columbia at census, 1901 (none given) Hindus in British Columbia at census, 1911 2,292 Hindus in British Columbia at census, June 1st, 1921 951 Immigration, fiscal year 1921-22 13 Immigration, fiscal year 1922-23 21 Immigration, fiscal year 1923-24 39 Immigration, fiscal year 1924-25 ,. 44 Immigration, April-December, 1925 (estimated) 35 The natural increase is negligible at present. Estimated Hindus in British Columbia, December 31st, 1925 1,103 Per Cent. of Total in Canada. 98.0 93.6 Since the last census the natural increase of Chinese in the Province has practically been at a standstill, an aggregate surplus of 62 births in three years being offset by an aggregate surplus of 41 deaths in the other two years. It is vastly different in the case of the Japanese. In the same period of time the aggregate increase in the Japanese population of the Province through the excess of births over deaths has exceeded that through immigration. In each year the births have greatly outnumbered the arrivals from Japan, in 1925 the proportion being 15 births to every 8 arrivals by sea. The birth-rate of Japanese in British Columbia is 40 per 1,000 of the population of that race. The birth-rate of the whole population, excluding Indians, keeps about 18 per 1,000, while the rate of natural increase per 1,000 is between 9 and 10. There has always been a certain amount of difficulty in securing registrations of Oriental births, and there is some ground for the suspicion that even yet, with the greatest vigilance on the part of officials of the Provincial Board of Health, there are births which are not reported. Comparison of a series of the reports by the Registrar of Vital Statistics will show what a number of births, chiefly of Orientals, are not registered until years after. The figures of actual births for the years given above are as they stand at the end of 1925 registrations, but are subject to addition every year hereafter as further births in these several years are registered. For the past twenty years the arrivals of immigrants of Asiatic origin at the ocean ports of Canada, chiefly on the Pacific Coast, segregated as to males, females, and children, and the number destined for British Columbia, have been as shown for the several races in the following tables:—• CHINESE. Fiscal Year. Males. Females. Children. Total. Destined for B.C. 1906—7 (9 mos.) . 63 1,719 1,695 1,866 4,859 5,776 7,029 5,230 1,147 42 297 695 4,095 389 2,001 1,125 232 59 9 39 36 58 77 80 85 89 40 18 33 26 63 67 135 114 59 36 20 126 156 232 342 391 331 193 71 28 63 48 175 88 299 507 420 579 92 1,884 1,887 2,156 5,278 6,247 7,445 5,512 1,258 88 393 769 4,333 544 2,435 1,746 711 674 68 1907-8 1,554 1908 9 1,539 1909-10 1910 11 1,948 4,794 1911-12 1912-13 1913-14 5,480 6,691 4,679 863 52 1914-15 1915-16 1916-17 1917-18 1918 19 128 254 2,815 1919-20 1920 21 347 2,065 1921-22 1922-23 ; 1923-24 1924 25 995 326 341 1925 (12 mos.) Totals 38,319 1,064 4,069 43,452 34,939 80.4% ■ -. ■ 17 Geo. 5 Oriental Activities. BB 7 JAPANESE. Fiscal Year. Males. Females. Children. Total. Destined for B.C. 1906 7 (9 mos.) 1,766 6,945 242 566 34 90 2,042 7,601 2,038 1907-8 7,589 1908 9 312 153 30 495 473 1909 10 104 134 33 271 250 1910 11 170 217 50 437 432 1911-12 322 362 81 765 763 1912-13 252 424 48 724 718 1913-14 354 447 55 856 844 1914 15 101 358 43 592 579 1915-16 148 233 20 401 392 1916-17 301 459 . 584 310 370 530 37 54 64 648 883 1,178 622 1917-18 852 1918 19 1,137 1919-20 280 389 42 711 686 1920 21 145 140 338 300 49 31 532 471 514 1921-22 452 1922 23 141 184 197 233 31 31 369 448 350 1923-24 422 1924 25 182 269 50 501 481 Totals 12,980 6,072 873 19,925 19,594 98.34% 1925 (11 mos.) 114 214 72 400 HINDUS. Fiscal Year. Males. Females. Children. Total. Destined tor B.C. 1906 7 (9 mos.) 2,120 2,620 5 9 4 2 78 1 7 5 12 25 21 2 1 1 1 2 2 2 4 5 11 14 2 3 1 3 8 1 4 4 4 11 2,124 2,623 6 10 5 3 5 88 1 1.0 13 21 40 46 2,112 1907-8 2,619 1908 a 1909-10 1910-11 1911-12 6 1 1 1912-13 1913-14 1914 15 5 65 1915-16 1916-17 1917-18 1918-19 1919-20 1920 21 . ... 9 1921-22 1922-23 13 21 1923-24 1924 25 39 44 Totals 4,900 45 41 4,995 4,935 98.79% The total immigration via ocean ports, destined for British Columbia, during these years, and the proportion of this which was Oriental, was as follows:— Year. Total. Oriental. All Other. 1906 7 (9 mos.) 8,406 22,171 9,341 12,428 • 26,481 38,958 20,756 23,922 6,549 1,259 1,505 1,593 5,565 9,945 10,439 5,722 4,819 8,190 7,269 4,218 11,762 2,012 2,204 5,227 6,244 7,414 5,588 1,442 444 750 1,106 3,952 1,033 2,588 1,460 697 802 525 1907-8 1908 9 1909 10 1910 11 1911-12 1912 13 1913-14 1914 15 1915-16 1916 17 1917-18 1918-19 1919-20 1920 21 1921-22 1922 23 1923-24 1924 25 : Totals 234,318 59,468 25.38% 174,850 74.62% In view of the greatly reduced percentage of Chinese shown by the census of 1921 as residing in British Columbia when compared with earlier years, and the smaller number of immigrants destined for here since the beginning of the war, the Committee will doubtless be interested in knowing what has become of the number who entered Canada of more recent years. According to the reports of the Department of Immigration and Colonization they have been flocking to the older Provinces. Speaking generally of the surplus of Chinese immigrants who did not remain in this Province since 1914, they have settled in Ontario and Quebec. In 1915-16 Quebec and Ontario got them, with a scattering to the others. In 1916-17 Quebec and Ontario, in that order, got greater part of the surplus, with Blanitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta following. In 1918-19 Ontario and Quebec, in reversed order from the year before, got 1,100 of the 1,500 surplus; Saskatchewan, 150; Alberta, Manitoba, and the Maritimes, the remainder. In 1919-20 the order was Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Manitoba; in 1921-22, Ontario, Alberta', Quebec, Saskatchewan, Manitoba. In 1922-23 and tbe year following the order of preference of those who passed through British Columbia was Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Quebec, Manitoba. Since April 1st, 1924, no Chinese have been admitted into Canada as immigrants. The " Chinese Immigration Act" of 1923 restricts the landing in Canada of persons of Chinese origin or descent, irrespective of allegiance or citizenship, other than those born in Canada, merchants, and students. The two classes last named must be in possession of valid passports issued by the Government of China and endorsed by a Canadian immigration officer at the port of departure, and they can land only at Vancouver or Victoria. "Merchant," for the purposes of the Act, means one who devotes his undivided attention to mercantile pursuits, dealing exclusively in Chinese manufactures or produce or in exporting to China goods of Canadian produce or manufacture, who has been in such business for at least three years, and who has not less than $2,500 invested in it. The designation does not include any merchant's clerk, tailor, mechanic, huckster, peddler, drier or curer of fish, or any one having any connection with a restaurant, laundry, or rooming-house. Persons over 15 must be able to read English, French, or some other language. Answering a question in the House of Commons last session, the Hon. the Minister of Immigration and Colonization stated that the only Chinese entering Canada during the year 1925 came in under permit for a limited stay. Of these there were 80, of whom 33 had already passed out of Canada when the answer was given. According to occupations there were 8 actors and actresses, 10 amahs (nursemaids), a bank manager and bis wife, a consul in training, a secretary 17 Geo. 5 Oriental Activities. BB 9 to a consul, 2 wives of consuls, 6 members of consuls' families, 5 servants of consul, 2 physicians, an infant, a merchant, a missionary, a professor's wife, 5 servants of tourists, 30 students, 2 wives of students, and 2 teachers. As the figures for Japanese and Hindu immigration demonstrate, virtually every person of these races who landed in Canada came with the intention of settling in British Columbia. It will be observed that, while Hindu immigration is relatively very small, there has been an increasing number each year since 1920, after an entire cessation of the East Indian influx to this Province for six years. Attention might be drawn to the immigration figures of Japanese, and their bearing on the problems of increase in school population of this race. There has always been a high proportion of female immigrants from that country, but since 1909, with the exception of two years, more females than males have entered tbe Province annually. In the aggregate, from April 1st, 1909, to March 31st, 1925, the proportions were 5,111 females to 3,957 males. To the end of 1925 this continued in the ratio of 2 to 1 and presumably the same has been true of 1926. This has been chiefly due, no doubt, to the admission of so-called " picture brides," and possibly in some cases to wives of men already in the country coming later. In regard to " children," it must be remembered that this description covers all under 18, which age in the Oriental is marked by a greater advance towards adolescence than in the case of the white races. There is little doubt that the great majority of these are not " children " in the sense in which the word applies to most other immigrant races, but are potential competitors in industry from the moment of arrival. The following comparative figures are taken from the reports of the Dominion census of 1921:— Total. British. Chinese. Japanese. Others. Population, Canada 8,677,887 4,473,824 4,204,063 502,205 281,945 220,260 255,307 10,120 29.4 20.1 60.7 40.5 4,869,090 2,488,643 2,380,447 387,513 205,030 182,483 39,587 37,163 2,424 23,533 21,820 1,713 173 7.6 100.9 15,868 10,520 5,348 15,006 9,863 5,143 553 36.8 107.5 3,753,342 1,937,498 1,815,844 Population, British Columbia Males 76,153 45,432 30,921 Births in British Columbia Rate per 1,000, Canada Rate per 1,000, British Columbia Rate per 1,000 of female population only 8,319 1,075 21.4 14.1 Rate per 1,000 of female population only . in British Columbia 45.5 34.7 Indians are not included in the above computations. At the time of the census there were 110,596 (56,121 males and 54,475 females) in Canada and 23,377 (11,464 males and 10,918 females) in British Columbia. Births totalling 343 gave a birth-rate per 1,000 total population of 15.3 and a rate per 1,000 females only of 31.4. ORIENTAL LAND-HOLDING IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. Returns from municipal and provincial assessors, although not complete in all details in a few instances, show that Oriental land-owners hold property in this Province to an assessed value which in the aggregate is well over eleven and one-half million dollars. The statements which follow account for a total of $11,590,796. It is very difficult to say bow much land or improved realty is held under lease by Orientals, there being no statistics which record this. Municipal officials have given the benefit of their personal knowledge of holdings thus leased, so far as it goes, and while the information so obtained is necessarily very incomplete, it reports the holding under lease of at least 8,097 acres, of an assessed value of considerably over $1,000,000, besides 6,195 acres leased from the Crown in unorganized districts, or 14,292 acres. BB 10 British Columbia. 1926 Members of the Chinese race own within municipal limits 782 specified and sundry unspecified lots, assessed value (incomplete) $6,546,519, and 1,203.S75 acres, assessed value $412,240 (both incomplete). They lease 6,761.407 acres and 30 lots, assessed value (incomplete) $567,312, besides 220 (incomplete) stores. So far as the information is contained below, they own or lease property assessed at $7,526,071. Japanese owners hold 5,736.639 acres (incomplete), assessed value $1,003,481, as well as 533 specified and sundry unspecified lots, assessed value (incomplete) $1,616,911. They lease 764.48 acres, assessed at $43,790 (incomplete), and 232 (incomplete) stores. The total value of property owned or leased is $2,664,182. Hindus are owners of 277.13 acres, assessed value $61,230, and 211 specified and sundry unspecified lots, assessed value $130,380 (all figures incomplete). They lease 570.84 acres, assessed value $18,699 (incomplete), 3 lots and 16 stores (latter figure incomplete). The total value owned and leased is $210,309. So far as information has been obtainable, and keeping in mind the deficiencies which ■render all final totals incomplete, the land-holding represented in municipalities is as follows in assessed value:— Owned. Leased. Total. $6,958,759 2,620,392 191,610 $567,312 43,790 18,699 $ 7,526,071 2,664,182 216,309 Totals $9,770,761 $629,801 $10,400,562 Tbe aggregate value of property owned and leased in cities, districts, and villages by the several Asiatic races was as follows:— Cities. Districts. Villages. Total. $6,237,666 1,505,161 74,030 $1,258,980 1,104,532 135,539 $29,425 54.4S9 740 $ 7,526,071 Japanese Hindus — 2,664,182 210,309 Totals $7,S16,S57 $2,499,051 $84,654 $10,400,562 In the unorganized districts Orientals own 11,710.76 acres, assessed value $720,546, and lease from the Crown 6,195.11 acres, assessed value $469,688. The grand total in assessed value of all property in the following statements, so far as the figures have been furnished, is $11,590,796, owned or leased by peorile of the Asiatic races. It is worth noting in regard to land-holding in rural municipalities that to a considerable extent the Japanese are owners of the land they till, while the Chinese lease from, presumably, white owners. The reason for this is, of course, the well-known fact that Chinese methods of cultivation exhaust the soil, rendering it necessary for them to move on periodically to fresh acreage. (Note.—Information furnished by the city assessor of Victoria as this report is. on the press materially alters the figures originally supplied by that official and incorporated in this report. The information now given isi that in the City of Victoria 95 Chinese own 128 parcels of land assessed at $745,260 ; 10 Japanese own 10 parcels of land assessed at $25,720; and 12 Hindus own 12 parcels of land assessed at $27,050.) 17 Geo. 5 Oriental Activities. BB 11 REAL PROPERTY OWNED BY ORIENTALS WITHIN THE MUNICIPALITIES AND IN THE UNORGANIZED DISTRICTS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AT DECEMBER 31st, 1925, WITH AN ESTIMATE OP THE AMOUNT OP PROPERTY LEASED TO ORIENTALS. Cities. Municipality. Chinese. Japanese. Hindus. Amount. Value. Amount. Value. Amount. Value. 8 lots $ 3,175 6,660 13,350 14 lots (1 owner) $ 350 3 lots (1 owner) $ 75 Leased (4 owners) 16 acres Lots 200 acres Lots 6,100 Lots 125 Leased 25 acres Lots 11,150 59,165 Lots 1,200 19,195 Leased 4 stores 5,000 7,730 19 lots 30,850 5,575 31,650 400 3,775 8 lots and 4 acres 2 lots 470 3 lots 10 lots 3 lots 2,850 76,830 8,270 2,330 3,600 53,350 5,050 17,200 75,875 59,510 Leased 1 lot 1 lot 1,510 19 lots .... 10 lots 7,725 1 lot 125 (3 acres) 2 lots (1.5 acres) (0.14 acre) 97 lots (abt. 35 owners) Abt. 60 lots.. Abt. 30 acres Not known.... 50 to 60 lots About 50 lots Abt. 8 acres.. Not known.... Leased Not known.... 17,041 33,320 6,385 Leased Not known.... Lots 10 acres 2 lots Not known.... Not known.... Lots Pnrt Albprnlf 2,485 1,981 880 8,685 4 lots 2,160 16 lots 4,790 Leased (4 owners) (3 owners) (13 owners) Prince George.. 22,555 118,750 36,100 (7 owners) 73 lots 43 lots 60,745 1,825 (4.4 acres) 20 lots (2.529 acres) 2 lots 9 lots Leased 2% acres 30 acres 4 lots ... 7,400 (4 owners) 29,550 2,468,015 1,340,720 Lots 56,180 Leased 213 tenants .. 232 tenants .. 16 tenants .... * Dining-rooms ot two hotels run by Chinese. There are no Chinese on the land in this district. f No land leased to Orientals. BB 12 British Columbia. 1926 REAL PROPERTY OWNED BY ORIENTALS WITHIN THE MUNICIPALITIES AND IN THE UNORGANIZED DISTRICTS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA—Continued. Cities—Continued. Municipality. Chinese. Japanese. Hindus. Amount. Value. Amount. Value. Amount. Value. Lots it 53.280 $ 4,850 Leased About 300 acrest 300 owners.... (estimated) Not known.... Between $2,500,000 and $3,000,000 About a dozen owners Not known.... 14,000 Half-dozen owners Not known.... $ 5,000 240 lots $ 190,325 + 5,856,371 182,700 + 8,270 + 92 lots ... $ 8,695 + 1,420,266 76,200 71+ lots .... $ 5,335 + 68,570 73.525 acres- Leased : 257+ acres 217 -f stores 8.029 acres- Leased : 8.14 acres Leased : 125 + 232+ stores 16+ stores- DlSTBICTS. 23 acres (33 owners) 200 acres $ 25,735 8.24 acres (153 owners) $ 40,965 3.29 acres .... (31 owners) $ 15,265 Leased 11,300 8.20 acres .... 142 acres 800 Leased 1,000 acres.... 47 acres Leased 235.963 acres 27 lots 4,650 1,000 4O0 17;375 115.59 acres.. 25,028 800 Leased 40 acres 202 acres 590 acres 1 lot Delta 253 acres 60 acres 2 lots 33,120 65 acres 125 acres ... 1 lot 11,980 Leased 500 1,000 500 % acre 20 acres 5.25 acres .... (2 owners) 71 acres 600 Leased 500 5,800 3,410 703 acres (31 owners) 30,320 19.5 acres —. (3 owners) 1,960 Leased 2,378 acres.... (192owners) 339,487 91 acres (3 owners) 2,450 Leased (4 owners) 680 acres 45,000 50 acres 68 acres 30 acres 6,800 Leased 50 acres S03 acres 6 lots 21 acres 101,219 9,860 3,800 1,170 2 lots 8.15 acres 200 acres 184 lots (llOowners) 160 acres Not known.... 2 lots 1,120 1,575 Leased 65,403 33 lots Leased (27 owners) Not known.... Not known.... Dnk Rav 6,220 _| % To seventeen Chinese bosses, who sublet to sixty-tbree workers. % Ten Japanese, one Chinese, and one Hindu are non-resident owners of an aggregate of 283 acres of unimproved land included in figures given. || Tbe C.M.C. states that there is not a single Oriental residing in this municipality. 17 Geo. 5 Oriental Activities. BB 13 REAL PROPERTY OWNED BY ORIENTALS WITHIN THE MUNICIPrtlLITIES AND IN THE UNORGANIZED DISTRICTS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA— Continued. Districts—Continued. Municipality. Chinese. Japanese. Hindus. Amount. Value. Amount. Value. Amount. Value. Leased 8 lots ? 17,100 1,900 2,500 10.7 acres .... 7.242 acres.... 225.41 acres- $ 38,890 Leased 235.84 acres.. Lots and acreage Not known.... $ 18,699 19,880 Lots and acreage Not known.... 310 acres 2,344 acres 66 lots 10,855 Lots and acreage Not known.... 97 acres 100 acres 19 lots 156,397 Leased 50,805 384,667 180,125 19,140 ■ 97,890 65,485 28,080 18,000 4,600 Leased 12 lots 4,780 Leased (43 owners) 153.85 acres.. (2 owners) 275.2 acres.... (13 owners) (7 owners) 147.48 acres.. 25,790 85.37 acres.... 6,100 Leased 250 acres 230 lots 105 acres 240 acres 87.9 acres .... 400 acres 175,000 105,000 400 lots 158,000 91 lots 43,000 Leased Leased Spallumcheen 40 acres 250 acres 246 acres 160 acres 25,291 Leased 56 acres 575 acres 2,500 9,500 Leased 425 Lots 4,085 S'^O lots Lots 1,130.35+ ac. Leased: 6,504.407 ae. 30 lots $ 450,118 22,580 229,540 + 491,257 + 65,485 427+ lots .... 5,655.61+ ac. $ 177,545 883,197 137+ lots .... 268.99+ ac... $ 55,735 61,105 Leased : 764.48 acres 43,790 + Leased : 570.84 acres Villages. Abbotsford.. Burns Lake**.. Creston.. Mission Smithers Vanderhoof- Leased Leased 2 stores Lots . Store 20 lots 2 lots .. 22+ lots Leased : 3 stores 800 12,000 1,500 11,925 3,200 27,125 !,300 1 lot 73 acres.. 13 lots .... ti acres . 14 lots ... 180 44,084 10,225 44,084 10,405 3 lots 3 lots . 740 740 U The C.M.C. gives the population of this municipality by actual count in April, 1926, as 399 wbites, 81 Japanese, 6 Chinese, or a total of 486. Exactly one person in every six is Japanese. ** Tbe Clerk states that the only Orientals in the village are three employed in hotels. BB 14 British Columbia. 1920 REAL PROPERTY OWNED BY ORIENTALS WITHIN THE MUNICIPALITIES AND IN THE UNORGANIZED DISTRICTS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA—Continued. Unorganized Tehritoey. Chinese. Japanese. Hindus. Assessment District. Farm Lands. Improved Lands. Wild Lands. Amount. Value. Amount. Value. Amount. Value. Acres. 270.60 $ 13,770 64,400 205,498 Acres. 378.80 . $ 26,584 44,150 Acres. (2 owners) 1,857 (84 owners) (19 owners) (6 owners) 1,968 Atlin (12 lessees) 728.23 .... 18,036 128,699 94.16 24,525 26 $ 260 (10 owners) 2,252 (15 owners) (1 owner) (3 owners) 99 5,250 13,870 (7 owners) 511.49 . (9 owners) Saltspring Island.) 2.58 16,650 3,100 (14 owners) 40 . . 751.17 15,800 128,200 13,126 7,100 • 79,255 (2 lessees) (9 owners) 1,194 Kettle River and Prince- (2 lessees) 470.70 (11 owners).. 3.06 7,900 16,400 500 37 65 40 (3 owners) 400 (1 owner) Leased (3 owners) 1,987.78 (14 lessees) (12 owners) 148 (1 lessee) der Island.) 51.87 61,375 3,300 5,6S0 5.60 400 Nelson 9.77 1,400 1,906 (22 owners) (4 owners).... (7 owners)..- (1 owner) New Westminster (1 owner) 45 600 Nicola (1 owner) (3 owners) Leased 430 41,565 Omineca..... (9 lessees) (9 owners).... 6,525 Pender Island 669.50 23,300 4,200 Leased (9 owners) 257 Pouce Coupe (1 lessee) Prince George 2.50 75 13,670 67,993 250 263.81 2,807 Prince Rupert 179.34 (4 owners) 3,020 (1 owner) (10 owners) .. 1,281 ... . (32 owners) 160 800 Quesnel Forks (1 owner) Leased (32 owners) 80 (1 lessee) 17 Geo. 5 Oriental Activities. BB 15 REAL PROPERTY OWNED BY ORIENTALS WITHIN THE MUNICIPALITIES AND IN THE UNORGANIZED DISTRICTS OP BRITISH COLUMBIA—Continued. Unorganized Territory—Continued. Chinese. Japanese. Hindus. Assessment District. Farm Lands. Improved Lands. Wild Land. Amount. Value. Amount. Value. Amount. Value. 168 (2 owners) 8.33 $ 7,800 2,800 3,500 4,320 (5 owners).... $ 2,900 Leased (1 lessee) 50 (1 owner) 82 (4 lessees) 0.16 1,225 400 5,680 5,355 3,600 (3 owners) (1 owner) 206.99 6.7 1,875 52,900 22,400 (1 owner) 322.89 (11 owners) 4 (18 owners) 77.14 (4 owners) 163.50 180 .. $ 1,500 (6 owners) (2 owners) (1 owner) 76 owners hold 0,006.04 acres of farm land, valued at $252,333 282 owners hold 2,722.11 acres plus town lots improved land, valued at 333,107 40 owners hold 730.61 acres wild land, valued at 6,407 3 owners hold 2,252 acres timber land, valued at 128,699 43 lessees hold 5,927.11 acres farm land, valued at 465,838 4 lessees hold 268 acres improved land, valued at 3,850 In other words*: 448 Orientals occupy 17,905.87 acres in the unorganized districts, of an assessed value of $1,190,234. By leased is to be understood leased from the Crown. There is no estimate of the amount of Crown-granted land which is leased by the owners to Oriental tenants, but it is known to be very considerable. There are no lands owned or leased by Orientals within the cities of Greenwood or Slocan, the district municipalities of Coldstream, Fraser Mills, Glenmore, Peachland, Sumas, or Tadanac, or the village of Burns Lake. Any lands in this Province owned by Chinese have been acquired by them from white owners, by whom, or by some precedessor in title, they were obtained by Crown grant. The " Land Act" contains a proviso against the pre-emption or purchase of Crown lands by any person of the Chinese race, and this has been the law for more than forty years. Section 137 enacts: " It shall not be lawful for a Commissioner or any other person to issue a pre-emption record of any Crown land, or sell any portion thereof, to any Chinese. Any record or grant made contrary to the provisions of this section shall be void and of no effect." ORIENTALS IN INDUSTRY. On the closing day of the session Of 1925 the Honourable the Minister of Labour filed answers to certain questions regarding the number of Orientals in industrial employment over a series of years. Tbe questions calling for statistical reply were as follows:— 1. At what figure does the Department of Labour estimate the number of Chinese, Japanese, and Hindus employed in British Columbia industry in the first six months of 1925; in 1924, in 1923, in 1922, in 1921, in 1920, in 1919, in 1918, in 1917, in 1916, in 1915, in 1914, in 1913, in 1912, in 1911, in 1910, 1909, in 1908, in 1907, in 1906, in 1905, in 1904, in 1903, in 1902, in 1901, and in 1900? BB 16 British Columbia. 1926 2. How many Chinese were employed in sawmills, in shingle-mills, in mines, in fishing, in agriculture, and in other industries in the first six months of 1925; in 1924, in 1923, in 1922, in 1921, in 1920, in 1910, and in 1900? 3. How many Japanese were employed in sawmills, in shingle-mills, in mines, in fishing, in agriculture, and in other industries in the same years? 4. How many-Hindus were employed in sawmills, in shingle-mills, in mines, in fishing, in agriculture, and in other industries in the same years? The replies were as follows :— 1. Chinese: 1925 (six months), 2,556; 1924, 6,391; 1923, 7,241; 1922, 6,484; 1921, 5,691; 1920,5,917; 1919,5,437; 1918,5,928. Japanese: 1925 (six months), 1,512; 1924,3,809; 1923, 4,536; 1922, 3,832; 1921, 3,368; 1920, 3,001; 1919, 2,514; 1918, 2,759. Hindus: 1925 (six months), 392; 1924,980; 1923,1,151; 1922,1,134; 1921,784; 1920,742; 1919,685; 1918,567. 2. Sawmills: 1924, 1,797; 1923, 1,956; 1922, 1,817; 1921, 1,274; 1920, 1,487; 1919, 1,515; 1918, 1,071. Shingle-mills: 1924, 903; 1923, 1,233; 1922, 1,133; 1921, 1,019; 1920, 870; 1919, 801; 1918, 806. Mines: 1924, 621; 1923, 622; 1922, 795; 1921, 855; 1920, 948; 1919, 923; 1918,1,126. Other Industries: 1924,3,070; 1923,3,430; 1922,2,739; 1921,2,443; 1920,2,612; 1919, 2,198; 1918, 2,607. 3. Sawmills: 1924,1,384; 1923, 1,2S7; 1922,1,180; 1921,973; 1920,916; 1919,972; 1918, 861. Shingle-mills: 1924,133; 1923,417; 1922,331; 1921,323; 1920,200; 1919,115; 1918,158. Mines: 1924, 129;. 1923, 200; 1922, 105; 1921, 112; 1920, 133; 1919, 241; 1918, 231. Other Industries: 1924,2,115; 1923,2,632; 1922,2,142; 1921,1,950; 1920,1,666; 1919,1,121; 1918, 1,103. 4. Sawmills: 1924,609; 1923,862; 1922,583; 1921,445; 1920,392; 1919,476; 1918,226. Shingle-mills: 1924, 21; 1923, 24; 1922, 37; 1921, 8; 1920, 45; 1919, —; 1918, 5. Mines : 1924, —; 1923, 59; 1922, —; 1921, —; 1920, 1; 1919, —; 1918 —. Other Industries: 1924, 150; 1923, 209; 1922, 514; 1921, 331; 1920, 304; 1919, 1S2; 191S, 336. Note.—No statistics are available in respect to years prior to 1918. The report of the Deputy Minister of Labour for the year ended December 31st, 1925, contained the following paragraphs :— " The proportion of Asiatic workers in our industries also shows a decrease, and the 11.30 per cent, of Orientals is the smallest percentage recorded in any year since 1918, when the compilation of these returns was begun. In that year 20.37 per cent, of our industrial workers were of Asiatic origin. In the following year tbe percentage fell to 18.35, in 1920 to 16.64, and in later years it was 14.45 in 1921, 14.61 in 1922, 13.85 in 1923, 11.97 in 1924, and now 11.30. It is an odd circumstance that, while the Chinese in our industries have increased their numbers and kept up their proportion, both the Japanese and the Hindus are a smaller factor than in 1924. Prom this it would appear that, while there is a reserve of Chinese labour in the Province which can be drawn upon when times are busy, the Japanese and Hindus are not in a position to respond so readily to a demand for extra help. . . . " Lumbering employed more Chinese and fewer Hindus, .as also did the manufacture of food products, the miscellaneous group also showing a larger number of Chinese employed. The lower percentage of Japanese employees was chiefly accounted for in the manufacture of explosives and chemicals, food products, and the metal trades, little variation from the previous year being witnessed in the lumbering industry. The latter, which employed 22.34 per cent, of Asiatics in 1923 and 21.78 per cent, in 1924, reduced the proportion to 20.46 per cent, last year. This proportion differed greatly in the various branches of the industry. Thus, logging had 7.53 per cent.; sawmills, 33.73 per cent.; planing-mills, 36.S5 per cent.; and shingle-mille, 46.89 per cent." 17 Geo. 5 Oriental Activities. BB 17 The statistical tables in the report of the Department of Labour show the following figures regarding Orientals in tbe several industries during 1925:— Male. Chinese. Hindus. Japanese. Chinese. Japanese. Lumber industries Other wood manufacturing , Pulp and paper Manufacturing food products ■» Coal-mining Metal-mining Smelting Builders' materials Coast shipping Contracting Chemicals, etc Garment-making House furnishings Jewellery Laundry, cleaning, dyeing Leather and fur Metal trades Oil-refining Printing and publishing Street-railways, gas, power, and tele phones Totals 3,865 99 83 1,272 522 54 46 260 413 93 116 28 1 1 47 1 1 1 1 24 23 1 2,437 83 554 72 71 73 1 71 53 76 9 14 3 6 1 111 6,974 788 3,560 131 These statistics are obtained from the returns submitted by 4,138 firms of employers and do not include Orientals who may be employed by wholesale and retail firms, railway, express, and ocean steamship companies, coal and wood yards, delivery and cartage services, or in agricultural or domestic occupations. On January 17th the Hon. the Minister of Labour gave the information following, replying to the questions given :— 1. What is the percentage of employment of Orientals in the major industries of the Province for the years 1900 to 1920 respectively ? 2. What is the proportion of Chinese and Japanese for the corresponding period? 1. No information prior to establishment of Department of Labour in 191S; figures for 1920 not yet available. Lumbering.—1918, 39.68 per cent.; 1919, 40.71 per cent.; 1920, 30.10 per cent; 1921, 27.15 per cent.; 1922, 25.03 per cent.; 1923, 22.34 per cent.; 1924,'21.7S per cent.; 1925, 20.40 per cent. Mining.—1918, 14.52 per cent.; 1919, 15.02 per cent.; 1920, 11.55 per cent.; 1921, 15.40 per cent.; 1922, 8.56 per cent.; 1923, 8.04 per cent.; 1924, 0.73 per cent.; 1925, 6.18 per cent. Fishing.—1918, no information; 1919, 24.09 per cent.; 1920, 27.79 per cent.; 1921, 32.50 per cent.; 1922, 30.58 per cent.; 1923, 35.4S per cent.; 1924, 31.65 per cent.; 1925, 37.29 per cent. 2. Lumbering.—Chinese: 1918, 24.18 per cent.; 1919, 25.47 per cent.; 1920, 18.10 per cent.; 1921, 15.49 per cent.; 1922, 14.46 per cent.; 1923, 12.68 per cent.; 1924, 11.40 per cent.; 1925, 11.06 per cent. Hindus: 1918, 3.41 per cent.; 1919, 4.70 per cent.; 1920, 3.38 per cent.; 1921, 3.19 per cent.; 1922, 3.61 per cent.;, 1923, 2.79 per cent.; 1924., 3.47 per cent.; 1925, 2.42 per cent. Japanese: 1918, 12,09 per cent.; 1919, 10.48 per.cent.; 1920, 8.56 per cent.; 1921, 8.47 per cent.; 1922, 7.56 per cent.; 1923, 6.87 per cent.; 1924, 6.91 per cent.; 1925, 6.98 per cent. Mining.-^Chinese : 1918, 12.05 per cent.; 1919. 12.49 per cent.; 1920, 10.21 per cent.; 1921, 11.44 per cent.; 1922, 7.63 per cent.; 1923, 5.66 per cent.; 1924, 5.56 per cent.; 1925, 5 per cent. Hindus: 1923, 0.54 per cent. Japanese: 1918, 2.47 per cent.; 1919, 3.13 per cent.; 1920,1.34 per cent.; 1921, 4.02 per cent.;, 1922, 1.02 per cent.; 1923, 1.84 per cent.; 1924, 1.17 per cent.; 1925, 1.18 per cent. 2 BB 18 British Columbia. 1926 Fishing.—Chinese: 1918, no information ; 1919, 16.18 per cent.; 1920, 22.41 per cent.; 1921, 12.35 per cent.; 1922, 12.29 per cent.; 1923, 15.35 per cent.; 1924, 14.98 per cent.; 1925, 22.33 per cent. Hindus : 1918, no information ; 1922, 0.41 per cent.; 1923, 0.48 per cent.; 1924, 1.35 per cent.; 1925, 0.18 per cent. Japanese: 1918, no information; 1919, 7.84 per cent.; 1920, 4.65 per cent; 1921, 19.71 per cent.; 1922, 19.60 per cent.; 1923, 17.86 per cent; 1924, 15.42 per cent.; 1925, 14.78 per cent. No information in Department concerning agriculture. ORIENTALS IN THE FISHING INDUSTRY. The regulation of tbe deep-sea fisheries coming under the contr51 of the Federal authorities, anything being done to reduce Oriental participation in that great industry of this Province, which had gradually assumed very large proportions as compared with whites and native Indians, is in their hands. Since 1922 a policy of reduction nas been in effect. In regard to this policy the Chief Inspector of Fisheries for this Coast, Major J. A. Motherwell, Vancouver, speaks as follows in the annual report of the Fisheries Branch of the Department of Marine and Fisheries for 1923-24:— " The gradual elimination of the Orientals from the fisheries of the Province is primarily for the purpose of providing greater encouragement to white men and Canadian Indians to take up fishing for a living. By reference to the very interesting statement attached the results in connection with the salmon gill-net operations in the several areas will be observed. Extending over the whole Province the increase in the number of whites was 9.5 per cent., and in the case of Indians 7.4 per cent., and in the case of Orientals a decrease of 40 per cent., which was recommended by the 1922 Fisheries Commission. The total number of fishermen of all nationalities decreased 534, or 11.9 per cent. On the Fraser River there was an increase of 6.2 per cent, in whites, but a decrease of 20.6 per cent, in the case of Indians. On the Skeena River the increase in whites was 11.9 per cent, and 16.2 in Indians. " In the case of salmon-trolling, while the reduction in Oriental licences was 25 per cent, the increase in Indians was 13.9 per cent, but there was a decrease in whites of 6.1 per cent. Out of 1,446 trolling licences issued for the Province, 1,154 were issued for District No. 3, 579 for the east coast and 575 for the west coast of Vancouver Island. " It is interesting to note that on the east coast the increase in whites amount to 69.7 per cent, and in the case of Indians 343.4 per cent., but on the west coast, where operations are considerably more difficult and hazardous, there was a decrease of 22.6 per cent, in the case of whites and 14.1 per cent, in the case of Indians in spite of the reduction of 25 per cent, in Orientals. " Cod-fishing by means of lines was not licensed prior to 1923, but for the purpose of including this method of fishing in the general reduction in the case of Orientals licences were required of all nationalities. It is the intention during 1924 to include cod hand-line licences in the general policy of a 40-per-cent. reduction in the case of Orientals. " Owing to the desirability of eliminating or greatly reducing the quantities of grayfish and the necessity of every encouragement to this end, and which policy was recommended by the Fisheries Commission of 1922, there is no limitation to the number of grayfish licences which may be issued to Orientals or other nationalities providing they are British subjects. " The policy of the elimination of the Oriental in salmon-seining operations naturally resulted in the development of this class of fishing by whites. The experience has been that white seine crews can be just as efficient, if not more so, than the Oriental, and this applies very largely to the Oriental as well." The following is the statement referred to by Major Motherwell:— 17 Geo. 5 Oriental Activities. BB 19 SALMON GILL-NET LICENCES ISSUED IN 1023. Licences issued, 1923. Whites. Indians. Japanese Total. Increase or Decrease from 1922 and Per Cent. Wbites. Indians. Japanese. Total, all Nationalities. Whole Province... Percentage District No. 1 Percentage District No. 2— Nass River Percentage Skeena River Percentage Rivers and Smith Inlets Percentage Outlying Percentage Totals— District No. 2 Percentage District No. 3 Percentage 1,642 414 178 614 349 1,174 54 1,122 'At 116 337 463 120 1,036 59 1,193 523 95 95 66 641 29 3,957 964 244 900 1,172 535 2,851 142 + 172 9.5 + 24 + 1 3.1 + 19 11.9 + 47 8.3 + 114 48.5 + 181 18.2 — 33 37.9 + 90 7.4 — 7 20.6 1.7 + 47 16.2 — 4 0.0 + 41 . 51.9 + 86 9.1 + 11 22.9 -796 40.0 -349 40.0 - 63 39.9 -257 40.0 - 62 39.5 - 45 40.5 -427 40.0 - 20 40.9 —534 11.9 —332 25.6 — 60 19.7 —191 17.5 — 19 1.6 + 110 25.9 —160 5.3 — 42 22.8 SALMON-TROLLING LICENCES ISSUED IN 1023. Whole Province- Percentage District No. 1 Percentage District No. 2 Percentage District No. 3— East Coast Percentage- West Coast Percentage- Totals— District No. 3- Percentage.. 698 25 162 336 175 511 499 104 139 256 249 104 144 248 1,446 267 579 1,154 45 47.1 —140 46.4 + 138 69.7 — 51 22.6 + 87 20.5 61 13.9 4.6 + 108 343.4 — 42 14.1 + 66 20.1 83 25.0 1 50.0 34 24.7 48 25.0 82 25.0 — 67 4.4 47.1 -146 + 212 57.8 —141 19.7 + 71 6.6 BOAT LICENCES. Whole Province 74 6 96 176 — 3 3.9 — 69 41.9 — 72 29.0 . BUYERS' LICENCES. Whole Province 132 5 25 162 + 47 55.3 — 5 — 16 39.0 + 36 28.6 Chief Inspector Motherwell in bis report for 1925 has the following to say on the same subject:—■ "The Department's policy of eliminating the Oriental from the fisheries of the Province with a view to placing the entire industry in the hands of white British subjects and Canadian Indians appears to be working out well, as is shown by attached statements, which covers a very large proportion of the total number of licences issued which Orientals were permitted to British Columbia. 1920 hold. In the salmon gill-net operations the Orientals during the year 1925 held only 24 per cent, and in the salmon-trolling 10.5 per cent, of the total number issued in the Province. " In the herring dry-salting operations a further reduction of 25 per cent, was made during the year, making a total of 50 per cent, and in the case of salmon dry-sal.ting, a first reduction of 25 per cent, went into effect, and it is the intention to continue this percentage each year until these industries are entirely in the hands of whites or Canadian Indians." A statement showing the number of salmon gill-net licences in District No. 2 using powerboats gives the following information:— Division. Whites. Indians. Japanese. Total. 1 48 1 9 95 38 8 16 7 3 9 1 6 9 64 Central 8 12 110 Smith Inlet 39 192 44 6 242 The statement showing the effect of the Department's policy of eliminating Orientals from the fisheries, similar to that given above for 1923, gives the following details as to the increase or decrease in the number of licences issued in 1925 over the number issued in 1922:— SALMON GILL-NETS LICENCES ISSUED IN 1925. Licences issued, 1925. Whites. Indians. Japanese. Total. Increase or Decrease from 1922 and Per Cent. Whites. Indians. Japanese. Total, all Nationalities. Whole Province Percentage District No. 1 Percentage District No. 2— Nass River Percentage Skeena River Percentage Rivers and Smith Inlets Percentage Outlying Percentage Totals— District No. 2 Percentage District No. 3 Percentage 1,963 485 12 339 643 278 1,272 200 1,247 39 1,015 445 4,225 969 117 401 403 128 1,049 159 81 327 81 56 210 1,067 1,127 462 2,8 390 + 493 33.5 + 95 24.4 — 20 62.5 + 180 113.2 + 76 13.4 + 43 18.3 + 279 2S.1 + 119 136.3 + 215 20.8 + 5 14.7 + 3 2.6 + 111 38.3 — 64 13.7 + 49 62.0 + 99 10.4 + 111 231.3 -974 48.9 -427 48.9 - 77 48.7 -315 49.1 - 76 48.4 - 55 49.5 -523 48.9 - 24 48.9 —266 5.9 —327 25.2 — 94 30.9 — 24 2.2 — 64 5.4 + 37 8.7 —145 4.8 + 206 111.9 SALMON-TROLLING LICENCES ISSUED IN 1925. Whole Province.. Percentage District No. 1 Percentage District No. 2 Percentage District No. 3— East Coast Percentage.. West Coast Percentage.. Totals— District No. 3.. Percentage.. 1,091 50 328 503 210 713 539 182 103 254 357 191 80 111 191 1,821 50 510 686 575 1,261 -482 79.1 - 26 108.3 -104 46.4 -265 111.3 - 87 70.7 -352 97.5 + 200 58.9 — 1 100.0 + 49 36.9 + 38 58.4 + 114 .81.4 + 152 74.1 -313 62.1 - 5 100.0 -113 58.5 -195 63.7 -308 61.7 + 369 25.4 + 25 100.0 + 148 40.9 + 190 38.3 + 6 1.1 + 196 18.4 17 Geo. 5 Oriental Activities. BB 21 BOAT LICENCES. L OUNCES Issced, 1925. iNcitBASE ok Decrease prom 1922 and Pee Cent. Whites. Indians. Japanese. Total. Whites. Indians. Japanese. Total, all Nationalities. 123 12 82 217 + 40 59.7 + 6 100.0 — 83 50.3 — 31 12.5 BUYERS' LICENCES. 41 20 61 — 44 51.8 — 21 51.2 — 65 51.6 ORIENTALS IN SCHOOLS. The following are the figures in regard to Oriental children attending the public schools of British Columbia from the school-year 1922-23 onward, figures for earlier years not being obtainable :— Year. White. Chinese. Japanese. Hindu. 1922-23 1923-24 1924-25... .■. 1925-26 92,120 93,156 94,228 97,794 1,346 1,423 1,312 1,397 1,422 1,725 2,414 2,477 16 30 26 20 Prom these figures it appears that Orientals were 2.9 per cent, of the school population in 1922-23, 3.3 per cent, in 1923-24, 3.9 per cent, in 1924-25, and 3.83 per cent, in 1925-26. These percentages were more than double the rate of increase in the total school population, which was 1.55 per cent, in 1923-24 over 1922-23 and 1.7 per cent, in 1924-25, and slightly greater than the rate of 3.8 per cent, in 1925-26. Startling are the figures of increase in the school population of the various Oriental races. The attendance of children of Japanese parents was 21.31 per cent, greater in 1923-24 than it was in 1922-23 ; there was an increase of 39.94 per cent, the next year, but the increase for the school-year ended June 30th last was only 2.61 per cent, over the previous twelve months. In three years the school attendance of this race has increased by 74 per cent. The attendance of Chinese children in 1923-24 showed an increase of 5.72 per cent, over the year before, but dropped off in 1924-25 to a point a little below the attendance of 1922-23. In the school-year closing last June, however, there was an increase of 6% per cent, over the previous year. The Hindu school population appears negligible in point of numbers alongside the two other races, but there was an increase in pupils of 87% per cent, in 1923-24 over 1922-23. While there has been a falling-off in both 1924-25 and 1925-26, the attendance in those years over 1922-23 still was 62% per cent, and 25 per cent, respectively. The attendance of children of Oriental parentage at the public schools during 1925-26 was as follows:— Chinese. Japanese, Hindus. 1,185 113 09 1,244 951 282 12 Municipal schools Rural schools 7 1 Totals — 1,397 2,477 20 BB 22 British Columbia. 1926 SMALL-FRUIT ACREAGE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. SUMMARY OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE INDUSTRY AND ACREAGE, YEAR 1926. Whole Province. Lower Fraser Valley. Vancouver Island. White growers— Number Acreage Oriental growers— Number Acreage Percentage of total growers Percentage of total acreage 2,041 3,176% 344 1,401% 14.5% 30.6% 876 2,124 321 1,366 26.8% 39% 585 855 23 35% 3.8% 4% BRITISH COLUMBIA GREENHOUSE SURVEY, 1923. District. No. of Growers. No. of Houses. Area in Square Feet. Lower Mainland (whites) Lower Mainland (Chinese)... Vancouver Island (wbites)... Vancouver Island (Chinese). Okanagan Kootenays Totals White growers Oriental growers 45 2 51 9 120 109 11 237 28 218 92 35 16 626 506 120 690,480 \ 163,670 J" 570,030 \ 382,382 / 67,770 29,948 854,150 953,312 1,905,180 1,359,128 546,052 Orientals, 9 per cent, of growers, 28 per cent, of glass area. BRITISH COLUMBIA GREENHOUSE SURVEY, 1925. District Lower Mainland (wbites) Lower Mainland (Chinese)... Vancouver Island (whites)... Vancouver Island (Chinese). Okanagan Kootenays Totals White growers Oriental growers No. of Growers. No. of Houses. Area in Square Feet. 56 6 65 15 12 284 48 246 158 44 162 803 141 21 597 206 782,154 208, 567 990,948 154 1 794 / 67,357 ) 222 091 54,664 I1'"-'"-1 80,650 33,737 2,327,356 1,463,898 863,458 Orientals, 13 per cent, of growers, 37 per cent, of glass area. Per Cent. Total increase in glass area, 1925 and 1923 survey 22 White increase in glass area, 1925 and 1923 survey 8 Oriental increase in glass area, 1925 and 1923 survey 58 17 Geo. 5 Oriental Activities. BB 23 LAND OWNED AND LEASED BY JAPANESE AND CHINESE IN B.C., 1921. No. of Owners or Lessees. Total Acreage. Orchard. Small-fruit Growing. Truck- I farming Dairy- farming, Mixed Farming. Land owned by Japanese Land owned by Chinese 492 116 8,385.78 5,664.61 176.00 14.50 2,096.21 25.81 281.50 1,632.93 80 631.28 1,228.00 Totals . . 608 14,050.39 190.50 2,122.02 1,914.43 80 1,859.28 Land leased by Japanese Land leased by Chinese 103 369 1,781.26 11,087.12 139.00 37.50 155.00 64.00 560.25 8,184.55 435 236.75 1,581.00 Totals 472 12,868.38 176.50 219.00 8,744.80 ■ 435 1,817.75 Grand total, lands owned 1,080 26,918.77 367.00 2,341.02 10,659.23 515 3 677 03 ORIENTALS IN COAL-MINES. The late Chief Inspector of Mines reported that during the year 1925 there were employed underground in the coal-mines of the Province 2S8 Orientals, 226 of whom were Chinese and 62 Japanese. There were employed above ground 244, all Chinese. Employed in and about coalmines during the year mentioned there were, therefore, a total of 512 Orientals, 450 Chinese, and 62 Japanese. RECAPITULATION. Chinese. Japanese. Total. 226 224 62 288 224 Totals 450 62 512 NO ORIENTALS ON PUBLIC WORKS. The Deputy Minister of Public Works reports that in so far as public works are concerned no Oriental labour is permitted, either directly or indirectly, on any contract or day-labour work on roads, bridges, buildings, or any public works whatever. Clause 45 in the Department's form of contract agreement reads as follows, in specific language:— "The contractor shall not, directly or indirectly, employ any Asiatic upon, about, or in connection with the works; and in the event of his so doing the Minister may declare forfeited to His Majesty all moneys due or to accrue due the contractor." No goods for use in the Department of Public Works are purchased from Oriental firms. Once in a while small purchases have been made by new or subordinate officials who were ignorant of this rule, but generally speaking this restrictive regulation is rigidly enforced. ORIENTAL TRADING ACTIVITIES. A survey of the trading activities of the Oriental races in British Columbia shows that in the entire Province, in 1925, there were 3,231 Asiatics licensed to carry on business in the various professions, commercial pursuits, trades, and callings for which licences are required. Of these, 2,122 were Chinese, 1,034 Japanese, and 75 Hindus. In the cities 2,647 licences were held, in the rural municipalities 354, in the villages 20, and in unorganized territory 142. In the appended table is summarized the information received from the several municipal licensing officials and the Provincial Police regarding the number of licences held by each of the Asiatic races in the year mentioned, with the trades which they carry on. In some cases the classification of " general store, retail store, or general merchant" covers some of the trades segregated'under individual headings in other municipalities, but the figures in the recapitulation give the minimum engaged in each calling. ' BB 24 British Columbia. 1926 In the case of the City of Vancouver, where 56 per cent, of the Oriental licence-holders in the whole Province are found, it has been possible to make an analysis of the proportion they bear to other races, thanks to the very full information furnished by the civic authorities. It is thus evident that in 1925 Orientals constituted the given percentages of the total number of licensees in each of tbe classes of trades following:— Per Cent. Laundries and laundry offices 82% Greengrocers 91 Hawkers and peddlers 72 Poulterers 62 Fish-dealers 45 Restaurants 33 Bath-parlours 53 Cleaners and dyers 39 Barbers 32 Dry-goods 29 Tailors 31 Jewellers 26 Tobacconists 26 Per Cent. Grocers 25 Wood-dealers 25 Hardware 20 Lodging-houses 23 Candy and fruit dealers 25 Dressmakers 16 Shoe-repairing 15 Men's clothing 12% Printers and publishers 12 Pool-rooms 12 Licensed vehicles 14 Taxicabs 10 Auto-drivers 9 Taking the Province as a whole, the Chinese are to the Japanese as 2 to 1 in tbe holding of trade licences. In Victoria nearly all are held by Chinese. In Vancouver the Japanese licence- holders are to the Chinese 5 to 6. Among the district municipalities Richmond has 87 out of the total of 122 trade licences issued to Japanese in all districts, while the adjoining municipalities of South Vancouver and Burnaby have between them more than one-third of the trade licences issued to Chinese in all districts. No trading licences of any kind are held by Orientals within tbe cities of Alberni or Slocan, the district municipalities of Coldstream, Peachland, Salmon Arm, Spallumcheen, Sumas, or Tadanac, or the village of Burns Lake. The fact is pointed out, particularly in Vancouver and Victoria, that whereas until recent years Chinese stores were only to be found in those quarters of the two cities which have for many years been occupied by people of this race, stores and laundries conducted by Chinese are now to be found spread over all parts of the cities, in addition to the still existing Chinese quarters. Municipal officials state that in numerous instances these stores, selling confectionery, soft drinks, fruits, cigarettes, vegetables, canned goods, or small groceries, have replaced or driven out white storekeepers who formerly made a livelihood, or supplemented the earnings of other members of the family, in this manner. Chinese residence in other quarters than their own has followed this business penetration. 20'M-227-60S9 NUMBER OF TRADE LICENCES ISSUED TO ORIENTALS cities. IN BRITISH COLUMBIA IN 1925 BB Is I I J Hi II j! =1 SI Ill 1 f i 1 1 1 1 l | g l II I u l i il II g g || g 1 1 LI 1 g i ig 1 1 N 2 I |s§. ig h J | i | I g a s s Albcm, 1 B; M l i^ (1o^_t, f$0j IS R K 1^1 It /|g <2.1t) | I 11 (13" 8t) | 1 il il ftfi^l H 'i. 2t 11' 22t) (7* 6t) SH p=f 1 1 m I ^| Iff || (119« 9t 6t) (3* 6t) <4 1| (8* 14t It) CT 2t) (2t 6t) (19» 81t) (2* 4t> (19* 53t) (1* 2t) -.$a1$ vanc°uvcr 2,647 1,700 893 54 170 238 199 23 1 192 ;':;.;36.;', 45 118 -■- ^4-*' 232 11 91 ii jjjgl 1 10 2 1 1 24 23 |/8 13 8 1 43 9 20 10 3 73 - Wn districts. ^ i S74- I tp (2* 6t) ^ 5t (38* It) 14t (10* 2t) (2* If) It ,„ 1 tt ^f 8t iii ii tt "2t (2t It) It I, | Midstream M Village I'8** MlBsl°n vrz:;'"; We^VancouveY. _' 422 279 122 21 20 95 " 200 25 2 1 15 6 6 6 4 3 1 .^jsi. 12 3 1 villages. s 0 « - I Av 111 Pi ill Vanderhoof .'. 20 17 3 3 8 1 4 1 1 1 1 UNORGANIZED TERRITORY. || I W Vu^ It ^f«H IP ■':•:■':',"-' .'' «s«™-t Kaslo ; '^SiSfsr*.- ■■ 142 126 16 5 . 126 2 * 2 1 RECAPITULATION. Cities 2i S «2 " 1 295 ' 199 1 25 192 136 45 I H6 114- 232 | I 11 1 I ...'. 1 I 3 -1$ 432 3 | I S 1 i 5 i 10 2 *¥' 1 HIm 1 23 28 ^ 6 1 43 ..9 20 1 i I i\$fp 1 vmagM munlc"""itics Ijnorganted^territory.. i 94 I i 1 1 I 1 3? 88 *!* 126 l !s 1 l 1 J | l | I -3 I '.S "; i 3 ..5 1 22 17 6 14 3 .Chl„eS, t Japanese. t Hmdus.
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PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA REPORT ON ORIENTAL ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE PROVINCE Prepared for the LEGISLATIVE… British Columbia. Legislative Assembly [1927]
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Title | PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA REPORT ON ORIENTAL ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE PROVINCE Prepared for the LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY |
Alternate Title | ORIENTAL ACTIVITIES. |
Creator |
British Columbia. Legislative Assembly |
Publisher | Victoria, BC : Government Printer |
Date Issued | [1927] |
Extent | Foldout Table: NUMBER OF TRADE LICENSES ISSUED TO ORIENTALS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA IN 1925. CITIES. -- p. BB 25 |
Genre |
Legislative proceedings |
Type |
Text |
FileFormat | application/pdf |
Language | English |
Identifier | J110.L5 S7 1926_1927_V02_17_BB1_BB25 |
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Sessional Papers of the Province of British Columbia |
Source | Original Format: Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Library. Sessional Papers of the Province of British Columbia |
Date Available | 2016-03-07 |
Provider | Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library |
Rights | Images provided for research and reference use only. For permission to publish, copy or otherwise distribute these images please contact the Legislative Library of British Columbia |
CatalogueRecord | http://resolve.library.ubc.ca/cgi-bin/catsearch?bid=1198198 |
DOI | 10.14288/1.0228001 |
AggregatedSourceRepository | CONTENTdm |
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