THE DAILY PROVINCE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1906

p.1

AS BRITISH SUBJECTS HINDUS MAY
VOTE
------------------New Complication Has Arisen in This Vexed Question.

------------------JOBS SECURED FOR 25
------------------Small Army of Foreigners Reported Returning from
Ashcroft.

------------------From opinions given by a number of prominent barristers of the city today, it would appear that a most awkward situation would be developed
should any of the Hindus who have already been admitted by the immigration
authorities, make application for the provincial or municipal franchise.
Although the contingency is a remote one, it is still worth careful
consideration, especially in view of the large number of the race who are now
scattered through all parts of the province, and the probability of close
contests at many points in the elections for the provincial House to be held
next year.
The lawyers interviewed stated in each case that their opinions must be
taken as off-hand conclusions, and might be subject to revision after careful
study of the laws governing the case. These off-hand opinions, however, were
unanimous in declaring that there seemed to be hardly any provision of the
existing provisions which would bar the Hindus from voting rights, did they
enter as British subjects.
Not Specially Excepted.

THE DAILY PROVINCE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1906

p.1

Said one barrister, “It would seem that the contingency arising from the
incoming of these Hindus had not been considered in the provisions hedging
the franchise prerogative. The Chinese, Japanese and Indians are expressly
excluded, but the special denomination of the nationality in the case of these
Asiatic races would prevent the Hindu being included with them. It would
seem that there being no negative legislation, the ordinary rules governing
British subjects must prevail, which entitle the men to the franchise privilege
after a proper term of residence.”
Polls Are Unprotected.
Another opinion pointed out the possibility of excluding the Hindus
under the term “Indian” by including in its meaning East Indians as well as
North American Indians. It was admitted, however, that this would be a forced
interpretation of the term, and one not in the minds of the legislators enacting
the provisions.
A cursory glance at the problem presented would, therefore, seem to
indicate that the polls are unprotected at the point noted by reason of the
failure of the enacting bodies to grasp in advance the conditions under which
the province is laboring to-day.
Jobs for Twenty-five.
The Hindus who arrived in Vancouver on Monday from Hongkong will
shortly be distributed throughout the interior of the province. An application
for the delivery of twenty-five of them has been received from an up-country
employer of labor, and an order for another fifty is in sight. Within the next
few days it is expected that arrangements will have been completed for the
shipping of the entire lot to interior points.
It is pointed out that it is no concern of the city of Vancouver if these
men are dispatched to interior points. Therefore there is no likelihood of
police interference when they are released from the Dominion detention shed
on the C. P. R. wharf and entrained for their destination. As long as the Hindus

THE DAILY PROVINCE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1906

p.1

are not allowed to spread through the city the civic authorities may be
satisfied.
Coming Back from Cariboo
On the other hand, once the Hindus are safely in the country there will
be nothing to prevent them returning to Vancouver and taking up their
residence here any time they feel so inclined. While the city police can easily
guard the undesirables by surrounding the detention shed, it will be
impossible for them to prevent the Hindu sneaking in by the rear entrance
should they tire of their work in the interior.
This is a problem within the greater problem of Hindu immigration
which the civic officials will likely be forced to meet within the next few
months. At the present time about a hundred Hindus are reported on the way
to Vancouver from Ashcroft. They are returning to the mild climate the coast
from Cariboo, where the cold is too intense for them to stand.