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Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1708, 24 January 1874, Page 2

The only. arrivals yesterday were two of the Anchor line of steamers— the Wallace, on her j return trip from Hokitika, and the Charles Edward from Nelson and Westport. The Wallace was to leave about midnight for Westport, but ; as it came on to blow very hard from the nor'-west her departure would no doubt be postponed until the weather cleared. The Charles Edward is expected to proceed to Hokitika this forenoon. 1 ■;•: The s.s. Albion is expected here on or about Tuesday next, when she will take passengers for Melbourne direct. . .Yesterday a movement among the sailors .--and- others working on board the steamers trading to the New Zealand ports resulted in the wages of the sailors, firemen, and trim- • friers being raised. All the articles expired j .T*~srt*the~end of the year, new articles had to bo Bigned. This occasion the men availed themselves of to* make a general demand for better terms, and we believe the same action wasLtaken simultaneously in all ports in the Colony. Had an arrangement not been arrir yed at t here, the men would have struck ' '"work, and in all probability steam traffic •v^.'wouli have been suspended for a time. The -■- ; sailors demanded that when in port they should only work eight hours a day, instead of from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. as at present, and .{ ; ><a?ked L 7 per month, instead of L 6, This „ jvas, refused, but it was ultimately agreed "■"' that' the men should work the same hours as heretofore, and shpulclreceiye LSper month The firemen, who had been receiving LlO a . 'month, asked Ll2, and we hear they got it; !;n . and the trimmers had their wages raised from'L7 to ! L8 per month This increase will make a considerable difference to atekn-.r-j'hoat proprietors, but the demands madejby ( .the men do not appear to have been run- '■• reasonable, ' and as all rates of wages nave "been, raised, it is but fair that sailors should .. participate in the improved state of affairs. !J "'Sailors -going- short voyages have but little time at sea, and consequently have to do a great deal of work in port, thereby getjting very little slack time. It woiild appear jbhat ,the owners, of steamers do not intend tojsuf- . fer loss from the higher rate of pay, for they • : 'have notified ; that they have raised charges 22 per cent. The gentle publicjwill have to pay, unless some people should fancy that 'profit can- be !won,' even with the wages now ruling, and increased opposition resjilts. 1 ; 1 1— Wellington Independent, January 3. ;