50 years ago

RE-ELECTION of a Liberal Government in Victoria would remind the Federal Government of its responsibility to the States and country areas, the Premier, Mr. Hamer, said in Hamilton last night. Mr. Hamer, who is on a whirlwind “meet the people” tour of Western Victoria electorates, criticised the Federal Government for its “anti-rural” attitude. He also warned of what he described as a “real threat of very rapidly developing inflation”. Mr. Hamer said inflation was not a new problem, but this week’s national wage decision would give a new twist to the spiral. “Worst of all is the erosion of living standards of the defenceless ones – those on fixed incomes.” he said. One of the main policy points emphasised by Mr. Hamer was his party’s initiatives in the field of decentralisation.