THE LABOUR-SUPPLY 59 



the application of strong measures to reduce them to 

 obedience. Taking all the circumstances into considera- 

 tion, the general standard of orderliness is better than 

 the isolated situation of the principal districts and the 

 mixed character of the population really warrants. 



The truck system is firmly established throughout 

 the Amazon Valley as the basis of all money dealings 

 with the labourers employed in the rubber-producing 

 districts. That it is thoroughly vicious in principle 

 does not admit of discussion, and not a single sound 

 argument can be advanced to support its past or present 

 practice. It is nothing less than legalized robbery, and 

 is one of the most potent causes of the existing crisis 

 in the rubber industry. The abnormally high wage 

 rate is due chiefly to the iniquitous conditions resulting 

 from it, and its influence extends to every branch of 

 commerce and trade in this section of Brazil. The out- 

 come is seen in the high cost of transport, the excessive 

 prices of commodities, the restriction of enterprise in 

 all directions, and the poverty-stricken surroundings of 

 the majority of the inhabitants. The heavy duties on 

 imported merchandise undoubtedly add very largely 

 to the cost of living, but the prevalence of the truck 

 system is more to blame for the difficult situation of 

 to-day than any of the taxation imposed on foreign 

 supplies by the Federal Government. 



A glance at a few of the main facts connected with 

 this baneful system demonstrates the depth to which it 

 permeates the present situation. The merchants sell 

 to the aviadores (purveyors of goods to the rubber- 

 producing community) at a large profit ; the aviadores 

 furnish supplies to the rubber districts at charges 



