122 THE RUBBER INDUSTRY 



and Parahyba, where the bulk of the population is of 

 negro or half-caste blood. Skilled labour is scarce and 

 expensive, no matter whether Brazilians or Europeans 

 are employed, and trained household servants are not 

 obtainable. 



In the Orient the average daily wage rate is under 

 one shilling, without rations, for able-bodied men, and 

 women and children receive a much smaller remunera- 

 tion. In the rubber districts of Brazil the average rate 

 is six shillings and eightpence per day, with rations, 

 together nearly eight shillings when allowance is made 

 for the price of the food. 



. The rubber collector receives no money wage, but is 

 a partner with the owner of the estate, and is entitled 

 to 50 per cent, of the rubber he delivers during the 

 season. 



In the East the coolie lives on rice and curry, at a 

 cost of a few pence a day. In the Amazon Valley the 

 labourers cannot buy the necessities of life for a less 

 expenditure than two shillings and sixpence per day. 



Throughout the Orient large numbers of competent 

 men, experienced in the management of agricultural 

 and plantation enterprises, are always to be found, 

 while in the rubber districts of Brazil it is seldom that 

 the services of any capable administrators or managers 

 are available. In the East a modest salary suffices for 

 such men ; in the Amazon Valley a princely income is 

 demanded for the indifferent performance of the duties 

 essential to any responsible post. 



In the Orient rubber-trees begin to produce when 

 four years old. In Brazil young trees are left un- 

 touched at this period, and the generally accepted 



