Economic worries still top poll

Press, 26 April 1978, Page 6

Economic worries still top poll

The public is less worried about inflation, in particular, and economic problems, in general, than it was according to an opinion poll. The economy, apart from inflation, remains the chief concern but on a list of the top 10 problems, in popular estimation, inflation has dropped from third to fifth place and is now registering the lowest level of community concern since the 1975 General Election. Taken together, preoccupation with major economic problems — embracing the general state of the economy, unemployment, and overseas trade as well as inflation — has receded from 71 per cent to 60 per cent of the major concerns of voters.

people aged 18 to 24 and Social Credit supporters. Unemployment:, women, people aged 18 to 24 and Values supporters. There has, however, been a marked increase in concern about overseas trade, according to the latest “New Zealand Herald” — National Research Bureau political opinion survey. The national poll shows the drop in the importance assigned to major economic issues to have coincided Industrial relations: men, residents of the Dunedin provincial area, those aged 55 and over and National supporters. Overseas trade: men, Dunedin city residents, 25 to 34-year-olds and National supporters. Inflation: women, Christchurch city residents, 25 to

Christchurch city residents, with a sharp rise in concern about industrial relations, now ranked as the No. 3 problem.

Rising concern about other social problems has also been recorded. Re-enter-ing the list after an absence since late last year, law and order has displaced family issues in the 10 major problems nominated.

Polling, among 2000 eligible electors chosen by random probability methods, preceded by several weeks the news this month of a sudden slowing of price rises during the first quarter of 1978.

As in January, the top 10 problems account for 92 per cent of voters’ primary concerns, and most concern about them is shown by the following groups: The economy: women, Wellington city residents,

34-year-olds and Labour supporters. Social Climate, public morality: women, Wellington city'residents people aged 35 to 44 and Values supporters. Government: men, Wellington city residents, 18 to 24-year-olds and Social Credit supporters. Drug and alcohol abuse: women, Dunedin provincial area residents, people aged 55 and over and Labour supporters. Law and order: women, Wellington provincial area residents, those aged 55 and over and uncommitted voters. Youth issues: women, Dunedin provincial area residents, people aged 55 and over and Labour supporters. (Copyright, 1978 “New Zealand Herald”)