Page 87 - A Talk with Dominic Nardocchio

ISSUE : Issue 53

Published by Ronald Caplan on 1990/1/1

found that the Italians interned were not a threat to the security of this country, so they're all released. And they all should (go) back home to their jobs." But they didn't do that. See, the government of Canada itself were prejudiced. They were the ones. Not only the people, but the government in power were prejudiced. MacKenzie King, just about a week--oh, a few days--after we were interned, he said, "Don't be hard on the Italians because they're only bootblackers." It was more than that. There were 12 medical doctors (in that camp), there were artists, there were tradesmen. There were more people than--more intelligent people than he ever was. But, see, that's what it is. (You certainly haven't forgotten it.) Oh, yeah, no, I didn't forget. No, I didn't forget anything. I used to read in the pa? pers sometimes--we weren't allowed papers in the camp, but some of them used to sneak them in. And I used to read them. And Commissioner Wood, at the head of the RCMP, he said in Parliament, "Canada's safe. All her enemies are behind barbed- wire fence." Meant Italians. When his own men made recommendation for our release, I don't know how he felt. I don't know if he had any conscience. And if the government of Canada had told the people that we were no risk to Canada, that we were loyal citizens, that's all that was needed. There'd be no claim against the government. Why keep quiet? Why make us look like ene? mies? Why make them look like enemies when they were not? That's what Mr. Nardocchio resents. And we were released in '42, and the war did not end up till '45. And no . one can say that he violated anything--any laws. And similar with the other Italians. Remember, there were a lot of spies caught in Canada. Not one Italian name came there. (Real spies.) Real spies. Real spies in Canada.. Not one Italian name. I had in my mind to go away then, again! (Dominic laughs.) But I never made it be- Centre for International (Studies • DE60UDCE CENTRE • Over 2000 Books, Magazines & Periodicals on • Development • Environment • Economic • Other Critical International Issues ~ Available Throughout Cape Breton Phone 562-6090 Or visit Us at 390 Charlotte Street 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday COFFEE • VIDEOS PHOTOCOPYING For SCHOOL & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS call 929-2063 or 539-5300 ext. 277 cause the day that I was released--! was released with another fellow from Quebec. And he was a shoe designer, in a factory-- a young fellow. And he gave me his ad? dress. He said, "Now," he said, "if you don't like Sydney, and the business is no good, don't hesitate. Write to me, I'll get you a j ob. With me." But I had this house, not paid. Eight small children, during the war. And I fig? ured, where in the hell would I go to Que? bec and get a house to put them in? I had no money, see. I had a mortgage on this one. I'd lose this one. See, it's always those--money. (So you came back here. And one of.the first things you did, I guess, is plant trees.) Well, 1942, I started to--see, this was not here. This was all spruce. See that. In '51 I planted that hedge over there. Cedar hedge. These are all trees that I planted here. (Yes. And you planted fruit trees.) Well, these are apple trees there, too. (In the '40s.) Yeah. '43. (So I guess you were--you did decide to stay.) Well, I said, if I stay here, I'll have something in the old age. (Yes. You plant? ed fruit trees. You planted peach trees?) WE CAN HELP YOU REALIZE YOUR DREAM OF HOMEOWNERSHIP! FOR A MORTGAGE TO BUY, BUILD OR RENOVATE, SEE THE LOCAL EXPERTS League Savings S Mortgage 235 Charlotte St., Sydney, N.S. BIP6H7 Phone: 539-8222 -KJcd'''' i'aoUl

Cape Breton's Magazine