The cheaplabor factor involved in this matter has been thoroughly presented to the Ways and Means Committee in former investigations of this industry. but I again call the attention of the Members of the House to some of the details. It will be conceded that the natives of India. the Hindu. are British subjects and have a right. under the laws of Great Britain. to enter the Dominion of Canada. providing they can pass the proper medical examination and have in their possession sufficient money at the time of entering to insure them a competency until they have had reasonable time to obtain employment. Twentyfive dollars has been fixed by the offlicials of British Columbia as a sufficient amount to pass an Asiatic immigrant into the Province. The Chinese are permitted to enter into and work in British Columbia upon a head tax of $500 in each case. after having successfully passed the medical examination. From an economic standpoint it costs $500 to introduce a Chinese workman to employment in British Columbia. and that amount. borrowed at 7 per cent. is equivalent to about 12 cents per working day. While $500 per capita might seem to be a barrier to the entry of these people. it does not operate to keep the Chinese out. for in less than three years. 1907 to 1909. 8.000 Chinamen entered Vancouver.
Keywords matched
head tax immigrant Asiatic