​Letter to HF Green from Tsurukichi Takemoto

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Scanned black-and-white microfilm of a typewritten copy of a letter addressed to the government from Tsurukichi Takemoto per S. Takemoto regarding dispossession of their property.
P.O. Box 581,
Greenwood, British Columbia
​Protection Department,
Office of the Secretary of State,
Office of the Custodian,
506 Royal Bank Building,
Hasting & Granville,
Vancouver, British Columbia

P.O. [post office] Box 581,
Greenwood, B.C.
Sept. 5, 1946.

File Nos. 6689, 4009, 10438

Mr. H.F. Green,
Protection Dept.
Dept. of the Secretary of State,
Office of the Custodian,
506 Royal Bank Bldg.
Hastings & Granville,
Vancouver, B.C.

Dear Sir:

I am in receipt of you letter of May 19, 1945, in which you state that our belongings were sold, for the net total of three hundred and twenty five dollars. The chattels of the premises do not belong to Mr. I SHIGEMATSU but only to ourselves.

I did not answer until now because your letter just made me mad enough not answer. Why did you sell without even consulting us. Isn't the method you're using like the Nazis? Do you think it is democratic? No: I certainly think you're just like the Fascists confiscating people's property, chasing them out of their homes, sending them out to a kind of a concentration camp, special registration cards, permits for traveling. Don't you think this is the method used in dictatorship countries. Democracy means no racial discrimination, or is it the very opposite. It certainly seems that way to me.

You did not even send us a letter asking us if wanted to sell or not did you? The total amount you sold our goods for is three hundred and sixty four dollars and twenty five cents. And the expenses. Auctioneers fee; advertising; moving; Who ordered you to do this? I know I didn't! Even though the government has power, has it the power to sell Canadian citizens' goods. I don't think there is any law to do that.

All the goods you sold, we would have gladly paid the freight if you sent it to us. These things are very valuable to us. The Japanese dishes, trays, etc., are not what you think they are. The total cost of the property we had in the premises is about $3500.00. What do you think about that: Will you please tell me about how much is credited to my account?

This letter states that I did not wish you to sell my property at this terrible low rate. Please answer as soon as possible to my inquiry.

Thank you very much for your immediate attention.

Yours very truly,

"Mrs. Tsurukichi TAKEMOTO"
Reg. No. 03354
per S. TAKEMOTO.