Letter from A. Gagnon, to G.W. McPherson, October 29, 1940 - en anglais seulement

This typewritten letter by A. Gagnon, Assistant Chief Postal Censor, is addressed to G.W. McPherson, Counsel for the Custodian of Enemy Property, on October 29, 1940.

The Custodian of Enemy Property (CEP), a branch of the Canadian government, oversaw the administration of assets belonging to internees and other enemy aliens. This government office served a dual function. Acting as a trustee for the internee/enemy alien, the office and its agents also protected the interests of the creditors. The CEP would pay off an internee’s debts by selling his or her property or businesses. It also collected money owed to internees by others. Families of internees often did not have access to the husband's assets and bank accounts. As a result, families often had to negotiate with the CEP for stipends for daily subsistence or use of assets like an automobile. In some cases, where assets were lacking, the CEP divested itself of any interest and left the families to fend for themselves.

In this letter, the Post Office asks the Custodian's office to confirm that they are in control of the business affairs of Giuseppe Moschetti. All correspondence addressed to and from internees was read by a censor. Contents deemed inappropriate were blacked out with ink or redirected to appropriate government departments for review.