Salmo Incident

EDITORIAL COMMENT.

            A short time ago, in an editorial which appeared in THE ECONOMIST, we expressed ourselves as not in sympathy with the employment of Chinese at Salmo.  Our views in regard to the matter still remain the same as those which were expressed in that editorial.  They were not manufactured for the special occasion, but they are those which have been held and expressed by us for many years.

            Still we are not in sympathy with the views and resolutions which we observe not unfrequently regarding this question.  These views and resolutions express disapprobation with the maintenance of the police there for the preservation of law and order in that community, and frequently manifest more of a political than of an economic bias.  The question which has occurred to us in this connection, and which we would like to see calmly discussed, is this: Granting that there is need of the police there for the preservation of order, has the proper department of the British Columbia Government that has supervision over this matter, or has the chief of the provincial police in this district any option but to so employ them?  If either this department of the Government or the said official has reason to apprehend a breach of the peace, is it not the duty of each of them to as far as possible guard against its occurrence?  All governments and such officials, at least in civilized countries, seem to act upon the principle that such a duty is cast upon them in consequence of such apprehension.  It is needless to cite instances of this – they are of frequent occurrence.  Is it, or should it be different in British Columbia?  If a breach of the peace were to occur in consequence of their non-employment there, would there not be a loud outcry raised against the same Government for neglect of its obvious duty by those same persons who now rant and roar against it in consequence of their employment there?  There certainly would be a very strong manifestation and justly so.  These are questions which in our opinion may well engage the thoughtful attention of those who are seriously endeavoring to manufacture political feeling against the Government in consequence of its maintaining a couple of policemen at Salmo for the preservation of order there.