Apathy To N.Z. Politics ‘Amazing’

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30395, 20 March 1964, Page 3

Apathy To N.Z. Politics ‘Amazing’

Apathy of New Zealanders, particularly young people, to their own politics has amazed Mr Austin Mitchell, new senior lecturer in political science at the University of Canterbury.

He is “horrified” that many of them know more about politics in the United Kingdom and the United States. He will make this a continuing study under the direction of Professor J. G. A. Pocock.

“It may be that Christine Keeler and Dr. Ward and *Time’ magazine present a more lively view of politics overseas than is apparent in New Zealand’s own scene and own papers,” said Mr Mitchell, “but this does not excuse or explain entirely the seeming ignorance of much of which is going on,”

Mr Mitchell speaks from some experience. After graduating with honours in history from Manchester University, he entered the Ph.D. course in Nuffield College, Oxford. He completed the formal work, became a lecturer in history and political science in Otago in 1959, and returned to England for 15 months in 1962 to finish his thesis. Book On Election

During the last New Zealand General Election, Mr Mitchell gathered enough material for a book, “New Zealand Politics in Action,” which was published by the Oxford University Press. He had students and others sending in piles of observations and clippings and also stumped the country himself. This inquiry covered the campaign, personalities and issues. “What issues did you find?” Mr Mitchell was asked. “Well we had to use a very strong magnifying glass,” he replied. After the election the same team did a voting survey on how and why electors acted as they did. “New Zealand politics are more absorbing than you may

think,” said Mr Mitchell. “I think New Zealanders are too ready to condemn their politicians without really knowing them. Australians, however, are more ready to regard their national politics as a real entity and force.” Attitude Of Young

Mr Mitchell said he hoped that one of the early surveys of the political science department of the University of Canterbury would be on the lack of interest among young people. Was it because they saw little in politics that affected them? Did they have too many other interests? Or what?

Asked whether the reputed lethargy was a good climate in which to study political science, Mr Mitchell said that was the very situation in which these studies often thrived. Without pressing issues, political science could be studied in the abstract. There was plenty of scope for inquiry into the attitudes of the young elector, the part of the party worker, the influence of the trade union movement, and other community groups. He hoped such surveys would become accepted as a useful contribution to New Zealand politics and life.