76 THE RUBBER INDUSTRY 



erty. He prized his independence, and could afford 

 his inclination to make holiday whenever he so desired ; 

 moreover, his credit at the store was unlimited for all 

 practical purposes. At present, with more days and 

 longer hours of work, only one-half the money can be 

 earned ; this payment is barely sufficient to defray the 

 cost of subsistence during the tapping season, leaving 

 nothing to provide against the necessities of the lean 

 months when the collection of rubber is suspended. 

 Formerly the seringueiro could obtain credit from the 

 end of one working period to the beginning of the next ; 

 but to-day the property/owner is unable to afford any 

 such advances, and the slack months must be passed 

 in a state of the utmost poverty, often bordering on a 

 condition of semi-starvation. One of the attractions to 

 the men employed in the rubber districts was the ability 

 to indulge in extravagant purchases of any articles that 

 took their fancy, whereas now, when in full work, their 

 credit is frequently insufficient to meet the cost of the 

 daily rations. In these circumstances it is no matter 

 for surprise that a large proportion of the labourers are 

 drifting back to their homes in Ceara or elsewhere 

 whenever opportunity offers, rather than remain in the 

 Amazon Valley to face the privations and vicissitudes 

 inevitably to be expected in connection with the imme- 

 diate future of the rubber industry. It is due to this 

 state of affairs that the labour - supply is steadily 

 diminishing, and it is a factor that threatens to bring 

 most serious consequences to an already complicated 

 situation. 



