'Rationing preferred'—survey

Press, 27 February 1980, Page 6

'Rationing preferred'—survey

In a straight choice between petrol rationing and earless days, a clear majority of New Zealanders prefer rationing. When asked their preference about Saturday morning shopping seven out of 10 say that all shops should be open on Saturday mornings.

The proportion supporting petrol rationing is 56 per cent as compared with 36 per cent who prefer earless days. In another survey in March last year, rationing was also the most favoured choice, at 32 per cent.

The figures, however, are not comparable because the survey last year offered numerous options, whereas the latest poll invited'a choice between only two. • Last year’s figures, in response to a question about controlling consumption, also

included . 29 per cent for no I petrol sales at week-ends. 17 per cent for earless days, 11 per cent for harsher speeding penalties, and 3 per cent for raising the petrol price above $2 a gallon. (On February 12 this year, the price went to $2.18 a gallon.) In March last year, people had not experienced earless davs — the system began on July 30. Now that people are familiar with earless days, they still think rationing would be preferable, in spite of the Government's announcement of December 19 about the details of a standby rationing scheme under which average weekly consumption might : be reduced to 10 litres,, supplemented, for those who would pay, by a potentially expensive “white market” in coupons.. Saturday shopping became

a major issue in December when many shops in cities throughout New Zealand opened for business at the risk of prosecution. The issue received much publicity in December and January. The questions about petrol restrictions and Saturday shopping were contained in a “New ■ Zealand Herald” National Research Bureau survey of 2200 people aged 15 and over selected by random probability methods. The survey was held throughout New Zealand between January 19 and 23.

People were asked: “Which would you prefer as a means of conserving petrol — earless days, as at present, or the petrol rationing scheme suggested recently by the Government?” The responses were:

Carless days ~ 36 p.c. Petrol rationing .. 56 p.c. Don’t Know .. 8 p.c.

Women favour rationing more than men. 58 per cent to 54 per cent. Rationing finds its greatest support among older people. It is favoured bv 66 per cent of those aged 55 and over and by 61 per cent of those aged 45 to 54. It is least favoured by those aged 15 to 24, 47 per cent of whom prefer earless days (7 per cent of this group answered “don’t know.”)

Geographically, rationing i s supported most strongly in the Dunedin and Christchurch provincial areas : (62 per cenc'each) and almost as strongly .in Dunedin City (61 per cent). Its support is weakest in Auckland City, where it is favoured by 52 per cent. The question put to people on Saturday morning shopping was: -“Do you think that all shops should be allowed to open on Saturday mornings?” ’ The responses were: Yes .. .. 69 p.c. No 26 p.c. Don’t Know .. 5 p.c. Men favour Saturday morning shopping more than women, 72 per cent to 66 per cent. Those aged 25 to 34 like the idea most (78 per cent) and those aged 15 to 24 almost as much (77 per cent). The appeal of Saturday shopping declines with age, and among those aged 55 and over only 54 per cent are in favour.

Geographically, Auckland City, with 76 per cent, is most strongly in favour of Saturday shopping, and the Auckland provincial area is just behind' at 74 per cent. Christchurch City is least in favour with 56 per cent. Copyright, 1980 “New Zealand Herald.”