Labour closing on National, poll finds

Press, 25 November 1981, Page 2

Labour closing on National, poll finds

Labour continued to cut into National’s lead as the election campaigns of the two parties entered their last week, according to results of a survay issued yesterday. The survey, carried out for. Radio New Zealand by members of the Victoria University of Wellington business studies A, department, was among 1600 voters in nine marginal electorates. ; It showed that in the third week of the election campaigns. the gap between National and Labour was closing, although National was still ahead. In Miramr, the electorate of the Minister of Works and Development (Mr W. L. Young), Labour is' making inroads into National’s slender 315 majority. Labour has picked up more of the previously "don’t know” voters, making the seat “distinctly marginal National.” National’s candidate in Western Hutt, Mr J. Tanner, polled ahead of the Labour member, Mr J. J. Terris, who held a 168 majority in the 1978 election. In New Plymouth, National's member, Mr A. P. D. Friedlander, sitting on a 112 majority, was strengthening his hold over the. Labour candidate, Mr D. W. Duggan.

The survey showed that the number of "don’t know r ” voters was on the decline, compared with earlier opinion polls. Social Credit was picking up votes in Albany, although facing a National majority of 1159./ In East Coast Bays, Social Credit's Mr G. T? Knapp, who won the seat by 951 votes in a by-election last, year, was shown to be "slightly" ahead of National's Mr T. D. Brash. , Social Credit had signify cantly increased' its support in Kaipara. although National's member. Mr P. I. Wilkinson, with a 520 majority. was “holding” the seat. . The Canterbury; electorates of Lyttelton and Selwyn were surveyed. Mrs Ann Hercus was holding Lyttelton comfortably for Labour, and Selwyn appeared to be staying with National, although Labour’s Mr W. E. Woods, was narrowing the. margin. Miss Ruth Richardson is standing for National in Selwyn. the seat being vacated by the retiring Minister of Transport (Mr C. C. A. McLachlan), who held a 1232 majority in 1978. “Don’t know” ■ voters appeared to be moving to Social Credit rather <. than

Labour in the three Labour seats of Western Hutt. Onehunga. and Lyttelton. Labour in turn was gaining more of these voters than National. The survey showed that the election lacked any really "hot issues," which could result in a low turn-out on Saturday. Unemployment remained the single most important issue, with the economy (including taxation), inflation, government, and the social climate gaining in importance. Law and order as an issue was declining in importance as the campaigns progresses, the survey showed.