BARREN LABRADOR.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 273, 19 November 1887, Page 3 (Supplement)

BARREN LABRADOR.

A Sad Tale ot tiuftsriae and Starvation,

The Chicago "Timos," Montreal spooial says:—Two families, named Russoll and Humboldt, have, after great exertional escaped semi-starvation in Labrador and reached Montreal. The story they tell of lifo in Labrador is very painful". The people are in a state of semi-starvation. They are slaves to the dealers, who never allow them to see a shilling, well knowing that if they had a little money they would fly from the country as a land of pestilence. Mrs Russell, a very intelligent woman, made the following .statement, to which two men lent their assent: "Wo are here because wo could live there no longer. We are almost starving. We often have been hungry. Fishing has fallen away and the people can't live, and they can't get away because they never receive a shilling in their lives. We are paid for our fish in goods and clothes,and we have to pay three prices for everything. Fishing lasts only threo months and we have to live the other nine months ont of the profit of the three. Fishing has so fallen away that there is scarcely enough made to keep us during the summer.

"Spring is the worst season, for then there is nothing at all. The Government pives a little assistance, but what m a little flour, peas, molasses and meat ? Lord bless you, I have not had fresh meat during the last twenty-five years. Such a thing is never thought of. We've often ground peas and made a sorb of tea out of thorn. Wβ have no such thing ap meat or potatoes or vegetables. The whole country is a barren rock. Wo have got salt meat, and not enough of that. When fishing was good we could manage to live, but instead of getting about 100 quintals, we can only get about thirty-five now, and on that we have to live nine months. There are now about 100 families in Bethel harbour, but all who can get away are going. It is a hard thing to see your family growing up around you and nothing for them to do and nothing for them to eat."

"And you never got any money for fish ?"

"Not a penny do we ever handle. Wo have just to take what they give us in clothes and food. We never would have got here but for my uncle, who jrave us a little money. This is the truth Fm telling you."