Chapter 16 - Domicile Rights

Continuing with the September 11, 1934 letter from Toronto:

“I have been writing some short articles for the radical press, which might be acceptable to one of the home papers as from an American correspondent. If you can you it, do so.

As I did not have the opportunity of having any lengthy conversation with you in Winnipeg, there are phases of possible future occurrences that I think you ought to be made aware of. As you know, my entry into Canada (from California to BC) was considered by the Canadian Immigration Department to be an illegal entry. It was legalized on the provisional grounds that I show proof of having taken land in Canada and provide a guarantee that I would not become a public charge during the period required to obtain domicile rights (5 years I think). At that time I was in the position to give such a guarantee.

Now, if I should be unable to procure work here, and, like a million others, be forced to seek government relief, there is every likelihood that my entry would be referred to and that an order would be sought for my deportation. This is a regular procedure in the case of aliens who have not resided here five years. The question here arises whether or not it would embarrass you to have me arrive in Glasgow as a deportee. I can assure you that it would not embarrass me in the least, but that the bringing of you into the picture would cause me some discomfort. As your name is recorded on my passport and at the BC port of entry, it is inevitable that, in this eventuality, your name would be brought into the case.” (By now, Arnold’s father had been knighted for his musical achievements as conductor of the Glasgow Orpheus Choir in Scotland and Sir Hugh Roberton was a very well known and respected in the UK, if not worldwide.)