Economics poll criticised

Press, 27 November 1979, Page 21

Economics poll criticised

An opinion survey on economic ideologies discussed in “The Press” of November 20 is difficult to take seriously, according to the executive vicepresident of the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce (Mr A. R. Simm). “The framing, the numbers surveyed, and the manner in which the results were stretched beyond recognition all tend to discredit it,” he said. Instead of seeking opinions on the free-enterprise system the survey by two University of Canterbury business-administration department members had “merely asked for reactions to definitions of two ideologies, one of which they unearthed from 300 years ago, and then put their own interpretations on the results.” The reporter had then interpreted the interpretations and had said they were definitions of free enterprise. The survey appeared to lead respondents through free use of adjectives and

emotive phrases describing the two ideologies. “An authoritative survey of opinion must start with a generally accepted definition,” said Mr Simm, “not one patently manufactured to obtain a predictable result.” A professionally conducted survey of 2000 New Zealanders, selected at random from all walks of life, had been published recently to compare opinions expressed four years ago with those held today. There had been a definite move of opinion during those years towards accepting results of New Zealand’s economic system, which contained a strong free-enterprise influence. That survey “makes one wonder whether the average New Zealander prefers results to untried ideologies,” Mr Simm said. Instead of asking what free enterprise was, businessmen “must share their knowledge of its success and speak up for business,” he said.