Mr Rowling gains in popularity

Press, 12 June 1978, Page 6

Mr Rowling gains in popularity

The popular standing of the main political party leaders continues to reflect the fluctuating voter support for their respective parties.

Accordingly, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rowling) has improved his rating among non-National Party politicians, while the ranking of the Social Credit Political League’s leader (Mr Beetham) has slipped. On the Government side, the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) remains the top-rated National politician, his standing unchanged since mid-March. The electorate is more impressed by Mr Muldoon than by all his other front-benehers combined Not so with Mr Rowling. While the Labour leader now rates higher than he did in March, his fortunes have not improved as much as those ef his party. Among non-National politicians, Mr Rowling still ranks behind not only Mr Beetham (as he has now for 18 months) but behind a Labour backbench, Mr D. R. Lange (Mangere). Mr Lange’s margin over Mr Rowling, while wider than two months earlier, if measured absolutely, has shrunk slightly in proportionate terms. The ratings result from a New Zealand Herald-Nat-ional Research Bureau survey of 2000 eligible electors, chosen on a random probability basis. The poll, conducted throughout New’ Zealand between May 20 and May 27, followed the annual conference of the Labour Party and the opening of the present parliamentary session. Among Government members, only the Hamilton West back-bencher, Mr M. J. Minogue, has improved his standing. Mr Muldoon continues to be rated higher by men (29 per cent) than by women (26 per cent). He now enjoys his highest reputation among Auckland provincial area residents (33 per cent), those aged at least 53 (34 per cent\ and National supporters (56 per cent). Lowest enthusiasm for the Prune Minister lies among Christchurch city residents (18 per cent), those aged 18 to 24 (24 per cent) and Labour supporters (II per cent). .

Mr Muldoon has a 13 per cent rating among Values supporters. 16 per cent among Social Credit supporters. and 14 per cent among uncommitted voters.

Altogether, 11 per cent of National supporters, 47 per cent of Social Credit and of Labour supporters, and 44

per cent of uncommitted ' voters believe that there is( no impressive National politician. Disenchantment with Government members is highest! among women (37 per cent), Christchurch city residents I (51 per cent) people aged 28 to 24 (50 per cent) and Values supporters (48 per cent) For Mr Rowling, perhaps, the best news is that Labour; supporters now rate him, highest (29 per cent, compared with 21 per cent two, months earlier) among non-; National politicians. Labour supporters now give 16 per cent (formerly 22 per cent) to Mr Beetham, 22 per cent (18 per cent) to i Mr Lange, and 15 per cent '(l9 per cent) to no non-Nat-ional politicians. Possibly as a result of sympathy felt for his recent family tragedy. Mr Rowling jis now rated higher by women (11 per cent) than by i men (8 per cent). Previously, he had impressed men (8 per; cent) more than women (7I per cent). His highest ratings come from Christchurch city residents, (15 per cent), those aged 55 or over (12 per (cent), and Labour supporters 1(29 per cent). < Mr Rowling scores his i (lowest ratings among Auck-i (land city residents (7 perl (cent), those aged 25 to 34 (81

1; per cent), and Social Credit (Isupporters (2 per cent). Mr Beetham makes a greater impression on men . (36 per cent) than women • (30 per cent), and fares best '; among Dunedin provincial . area residents (39 per cent), ; | people aged 25 to 34 (41 per ( cent), and Social Credit supl porters (73 per cent). His lowest rating is among Christchurch city presidents (20 per cent), those ■ aged 18 to 24, (27 per cent), i and Labour supporters (16 per cent). , Responses of those impressed by no non-National politicians remain highest among Dunedin provincial area residents (29 per cent) women (26 per cent) and , those aged 18 to 24 (35 per : cent). National supporters give 33 per cent to Mr Beetham, 13 per cent to Mr Lange, 2 per cent to Mr Rowling, and 30 per cent to “none.” Values supporters give 28 per cent to Mr Beetham, 20 per cent to Mr Lange. 8 per I cent to Mr Rowling and 27 iper cent to “none.” Social Credit supporters give 73 per cent to Mr Beetham, 8 per cent to Mr Lange, 2 per cent to Mr Rowling and 11 per cent to “none.” Uncommitted voters give ,26 per cent to Mr Beetham. 11l per cent to Mr Lange, 3, Iper cent to Mr Rowling and 139 per cent to “none. ’

Asked which National politician impressed most at present, voters responded as follows: them Mav Mar. Jan. Nov. May Nov. May ’78 ’78 ’78 ’77 '77 ’76 ’76 % % % % % % 27 % Muldoon 28 28 35 31 30 43 Gordon 10 11 8 12 4 4 1 Taiboys 7 7 7 9 9 7 4 Minogue 5 4 4 4 3 — Gair 2 2 2 2 1 1 — MacIntyre 1 1 1 1 2 3 4 All others 4 5 4 4 6 10 4 Do not know 9 8 9 9 10 7 10 None 34 34 30 28 35 34 34 Subsequently asked: “Which politician of all other parties impresses you most at present?” electors replied: May ’78 Mar. Jan. Nov. May ’77 Nov. May ’76 ’78 ’78 ’77 ’76 % % % % % IT’ % Beetham 33 37 25 14 20 16 17 Lange 14 11 13 7 — — — Rowling 10 8 7 10 13 14 22 Kirk 2 2 — ——- —— ——■ Faulkner 2 1 3 5 6 2 3 Finlay Tizand Kunowski 1 I 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 AB others 2 3 5 7 10 10 7 Do not know 10 10 12 17 15 15 18 None 25 26 32 36 32 39 30 COPYRIGHT 1»78 - - the “New Zealand Herald” TOMORROW: The issues now worrying voters.