‘Survey’ again excels

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33094, 8 December 1972, Page 4

‘Survey’ again excels

“Survey” has given us much to think about thie year and its worth in this direction was never better illustrated than by “Is It Best for Us?”, the title of Wednesday night’s look at immigration. ■ This was a well-rounded ! documentary and although ithe above question was not answered—not that we could expect it would be—enough information and comment was put before the viewer to help him understand better the many intricacies of the subject, and thereby come to a conclusion. Notwithstanding the delicacy of the topic, the programme seemed a determined effort to examine New Zealand’s current immigration policies in the light of what they mean to the people whom they affect most.

Good use was made of people well acquainted with the problems faced by immigrants, particularly Asians and Islahders, and it would seem that although assimilation has in recent years been helped by changing attitudes among New Zealanders “colonies” will be with us for a long time yet. Immigration policies and suggestions of racism often go hand in hand and many would, no doubt, adhere to the Government policy of maintaining a racial balance. The man who spoke of the existence of cultural discrimination, rather than racial discrimination, possibly got close to the truth—two of the man-in-the-street interviews certainly supported his contention.

The predicament of the small Samoan boy whose health could be endangered if he is made to return home; and the insularity of Polynesians in the major North Island cities; and the conditions of some of their homes must surely prick the social conscience of a country which supposedly offers its new citizens a better way of life. Perhaps to them it is an improvement. The programme ended by showering us with statistics compiled from a survey carried out in six major cities on the public’s knowledge of and attitudes towards New Zealand’s immigration policies. There was not time to consume all these figures and appraise what they might mean, even for those of us who still have some faith in public polls! The summation also left us a little bewildered. One reporter said the survey generally vindicated present Government policies, but another spoke of there being 25 per cent in favour of a more liberal policy. This was the final “Survey” for 1972 and so well has it done its job of informing viewers on a variety of topical subjects, and others if not topical then certainly interesting, that its reappearance next year will be looked forward to. -1- *!■ “The New Dick Van Dyke Show” returned on Wednesday and although this viewer liked him better in his old show, in which the situations seemed more real and the laughs more easily won, this episode did have its moments. Dick Van Dyke is a very talented comedian, but this “new” show makes him out at times to be almost a simpleton and rarely do the scripts do justice to his ability. sjs $ * “Nichols” was not up to its usual standard and even for an off-beat western such as this one, a guest star is needed to take the pressure off the regulars. This week Nichols, Ketchum, Mitch and “Ma” all acted as they have done for weeks. — even Ketchum, although his taste of power had supposedly turned him into a new man. Of much better quality was “Callan” and now that the

new characters have established themselves this programme is right back to its best. The story-line was engaging and all the actors contributed to making it something which in lesser hands might have been considered rather ridiculous. Towards the end. Hunter said “whit a lovable little band we are” and after the earlier goings on this was, indeed, a biting comment The success of this series is built around the excellence with which Edward Woodward plays the title role. It truly fits him like a glove. The humble “Lonely” (Russell Hunter), too, is an uncommonly fine characterisation. — PANDORA’S GUEST.

Boxing.—Tickets for the world .heavy-weight title bout between the champion, Joe Frazier, and George Foreman, at Kingston, Jamaica, on January 22, are being offered at prices ranging from $5 to $lOO.