They wanted to set up settlements like Markland all over the island of Newfoundland. They hoped that hundreds of people could get off the dole in this way. They also wanted to make Newfoundlanders less dependent on the cod fishery, which had let them down in the past. Plans were made to open new land settlements in other parts of Newfoundland. Young men who had graduated from college and knew how to do land surveys were brought to Markland to train as managers for the new projects.

Part Five
Markland Grows

The men who came to Markland were not paid for their work. Instead, they could take food and goods from the community store. A family of three could take up to $6.03 a month. On relief, a family of three only got about $3.30, so people at Markland did better than people on the dole. But the money that each man owed was recorded. The trustees hoped everyone would be able to repay the government later, when they could support themselves on their farms.

When families came to Markland, everyone got clothing. This cost between $70 and $100 per family. At this time, a man's winter coat cost about $10, and heavy winter boots cost $5. The cost of buying clothes for each family was so high because their own clothes were worn out.

The trustees wanted to be fair about letting people into Markland. People were chosen on a first come, first serve basis. They were not asked questions about religion. But they were asked if there was any tuberculosis or insanity in the family. They were also asked to list all their household goods, including woodstoves, dishes and cooking pots.

The trustees who ran Markland had good intentions. They worked very hard for no pay. They tried to provide a good standard of living for the people in Markland. At the same time, they said some odd things in their reports. For example, in 1934 they wrote, "the children of Newfoundland have not learned to play. Any stranger motoring through the country is struck by the idleness of the children in the outports. Rarely are they seen playing games. Very few of them know how to swim and they apparently have no interests with which to occupy themselves."⁶