62 THE RUBBER INDUSTRY 



only be described as " virtual slavery." Of course, the 

 fact must not be forgotten that these conditions are 

 relics of feudal habits established many years ago, 

 when the country was beyond the scope of civilizing 

 influences, and when drastic measures were necessary 

 to hold in check the somewhat turbulent semi- Indian 

 population. That they continue in force to-day cannot 

 be ignored in any consideration of the territories com- 

 prised within the area of the Amazon Valley. 



In Peru a similar state of affairs prevails to that per- 

 taining to Bolivia, and it leads to abuses in many 

 directions. It is a matter for regret that more satis- 

 factory arrangements cannot be enacted to regulate the 

 relations between master and servant ; but in a country 

 of such sparse population, and extending over so vast 

 an area, the solution of the problem is beset with diffi- 

 culties, and much time must elapse before it can be 

 grappled with successfully. Until the spread of educa- 

 tion lifts the people out of their present barbaric sur- 

 roundings, there is small reason to hope that any 

 marked change for the better will become an accom- 

 plished fact, or that the existing chains of bondage will 

 be relaxed. 



The question of food-supplies for the labourers in the 

 rubber districts is one of the greatest importance in 

 connection with the future development of the industry. 

 The principal commodities absolutely necessary to sus- 

 tain life on a fairly healthy basis are beans, xarque 

 (dried meat), coffee, farinha (mandioca), maize, lard, 

 salt, sugar, and tobacco. At present the great majority 

 of these products are imported from other sections of 

 Brazil or from the River Plate. The foreshore of the 



