(By our Montreal Correspondent)
That non-British immigrants, particularly from Central European countries, were crowding into Canada and that it was urgent that the Canadian Government adopt a quota system, were the salient points debated before the Immigration inquiry being conducted by the Canadian Government at Ottawa.
Albert Chamberlan, of Toronto, who is at the head of the British Welcome and Welfare League, stated that Canadian immigration facilities were not conducive to British immigration. The League is said to be a public, philanthropic, non-denominational institution whose purpose is to welcome the immigrant in Canada and help him to get work.
“We must not become another melting pot,” declared Mr. Chamberlain before the Immigration Inquiry. “At no time should the influx of continental immigrants exceed the British. The British Government is willing to assist financially the movement of bringing British people to Canada if the Dominion or Ontario Government both or either would go in on the scheme on a fifty-fifty basis. We could bring 50,000 Britishers to Canada every year under such a scheme. If this offer is turned down, then I will conclude that Canada does not want British immigrants.”
The establishment of a colonization bureau of statistics, adoption of a quota system and co-operation of immigration activities in England were the strong recommendations made by a Miss Margaret Mackie, of Montreal, at the sitting of the inquiry yesterday. Miss Mackie has been engaged in immigration work in the British Isles.
The new system introduced by the Government last year, whereby prospective immigrants were examined by Canadian doctors at the English ports of embarkment, also came in for severe criticism at yesterday’s sessions.
The new Canadian medical system is antagonizing prospective British immigrants, stated the Hon. George Langley, former minister in Saskatchewan. Mr. Langley told the committee on immigration that the bringing of Canadian doctors into Great Britain had been resented by the British medical men and by the would-be settler. Mr. Langley was also alarmed at the number of aliens pouring into the Province of Saskatchewan. “We are building a British nation in Canada.”he contended, “and though the second generation of Central Europeans may learn our language, they are only in a very small degree British.”
It is expected that the inquiry will be terminated shortly and that important changes in regard to Canada’s immigration policy may result from it. It is generally felt, however, that the exception being taken to immigrants of other than British birth is rather exaggerated and confined to a small though determined minority.
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