THE LABOUR-SUPPLY 57 



Purus and Jurua the average daily wage is from ten to 

 twelve shillings with rations. While these rates appear 

 at first sight to be extraordinarily high, the actual value 

 is modified to a very considerable extent by the fact 

 that the truck system is in vogue in connection with all 

 disbursements. 



Supervision over the work of the collectors in the 

 estradas and in the preparation of the rubber is delegated 

 to fiscales, or foremen. As a general rule these men 

 perform their duties in a most incompetent and per- 

 functory manner, and it is the exception to find a man 

 who is willing to make any real effort to protect the 

 interests of his employer, or to attempt to enforce any 

 instructions issued in regard to the careful treatment of 

 trees, or, indeed, any other matters requiring the exer- 

 cise of authority and influence. These fiscales are paid 

 at rates varying from fifteen to twenty pounds per month, 

 with free maintenance. In charge of the property is a 

 manager, who is sometimes the owner, but more fre- 

 quently a man receiving his salary in the form of a 

 percentage of the yearly profits. He is responsible for 

 the general conduct of the work and the management 

 of the store and accounts. So long as an average 

 quantity of rubber is delivered each month, these 

 managers pay little attention to any details connected 

 with the collection of the latex, and the condition of 

 the rubber-trees in all districts bears marked evidence of 

 this neglect. 



Women and children take no part whatever in the 

 field work of the rubber industry. When a collector is 

 married, his wife cooks his food for him, makes some 

 attempt at keeping the hut in order, and takes care of 



