Cape Breton's Magazine

the head of one of these clubs, and the committees, and we had all this going--a society. It's non-political, really it was just.... Then I asked to have a school. So they sent a teacher here. The Italian gov? ernment gave him $75 a month for teaching at that time. To teach Italian. And then we didn't have a hall, so I asked one of the schools down in the Pier there if they could let us have one schoolroom one hour a day for the Italian kids to go there, and then teach them the Italian language, see. And we had to pay room and board for the teacher. But the Italian government gave him $75 a month. So we agreed to that. Well, it lasted until the war broke out. But then, during that time, oh, we got a lot of criticism that this man was teaching fascism, that Mussolini Black Shirts--that there was all that. And I came up to a lot of people. I said, "Look, the classes are open. Any one of Dominic holding a draw? ing of himself at Petaw? awa, artist Casslnl. Right: the bottom of the wooden tray Dominic Is holding In the front cover photo. The text reads: "To my dear sweetheart Anna Nardoc? chio with love from your husband Dominic in re- ' membrance of the Camp Petawawa 1941." And a jewel case Dominic also carved for his wife. He carved something in wood for each of his children. you people can go. If you think that way, that we're teaching politics--go! Go to school. Learn Italian yourself, and see if there's any politics in it." But they made it so hard for us. They were really preju? diced, or jealous, or something like that. Naturally, I was most in the limelight, when the war broke out, so.... I knew be? fore the war that I was going to be in? terned. On June the 10th, they interned, across Canada, a little over 605 Italians. June 10, 1940. So I was with the RCMP officer for those Italians that couldn't understand the Eng? lish well enough, for 8 months. And in February, 1941, one morning the RCMP told me, he said, "Dominic, we're not going to see each other any more." I said, "Why? What happened?" "Well," he said, "I am fully convinced that you people are no threat to the security of Canada. You peo? ple have been interned through jealousy of one another. You have informers, personal vendetta against you. They went to the RCMP, and lies, and said that you were a threat to Canada. But under this investi? gation I am fully convinced that you peo? ple should not be held any more. As far as OPEN Nova Scotia's Friendly Seaport ROUND IN NORTH SYDNEY BlHitliliillillia 100,000 WELCOMES AWAIT YOU! NORTH SYDNEY 75 Quality Rooms and Suites Signature Fishery Restaurant St. Pierre Connection Rum Bar Reception, and Meeting Facilities pool • sauna • whirlpool fitness gym • games room AiWPLE PARKING Special Day Rate Program for Ferry Travellers 39 FORREST STREET, P. O. Box 157 NORTH SYDNEY, N. S. B2A 3M3 (902) 794-8581 Since 1885, North Sydney has been recognized as I a friendly seaport and has welcomed many a trav? eller, mariner or otherwise, from around the world. Our new Inn continues this tradition, ' in a magnificent setting overlooking the haitour.