Unemployment still main concern

Press, 10 March 1982, Page 13

Unemployment still main concern

Concern about unemployment fell sharply from November to February and concern about other aspects of the economy increased, according to a survey of 2000 eligible voters in 20 main population centres throughout the country. Early in November, 43 per cent of people interviewed saw unemployment as the main problem. In the latest “New Zealand Her-ald”-National Research Bureau survey, held from February 6 to 10, unemployment was still regarded as the top problem but the proportion saying so declined by 9 points to 34 per cent. By comparison, in March last year unemployment was a 35 per cent choice. Rising concern was shown about inflation and the economy in general in the latest Unemployment The economy in general Inflation Social climate/public morality Government Overseas trade Law and order Industrial relations Racial harmony Demonstrators The “top 10” problems account for 89 per cent of voters’ primary concerns in February, as compared with 93 per cent in November. (Housing and elections, at 1 per cent each, were on the November list.) Most concern about the “top 10” problems is felt by the following groups:— • Unemployment by women, Christchurch city residents, people, aged 45 to 54, and Labour supporters. • The economy by men, Wellington city residents, people aged 25 to 34, and Social Credit supporters. • Inflation by men, Dunedin provincial area residents, people aged 45 to 54, and National supporters., ® Social climate/public morality by women, Auckland city residents, people aged 35 ,to 44, and National supporters, • Government by men, Christchurch city residents, people aged 18 to 24,. and Social Credit supporters. '

survey. But over-all concern about the main economic problems abated from 78 per cent in November to 72 per cent in February. (The main economic problems are defined as the general state of the economy, inflation, overseas trade and unemployment.) Racial harmony and demonstrators join the list of “top ten” problems for the first time. Their appearance may have been occasioned by the fact that the survey began on Waitangi Day, when demonstrations occurred near the official ceremonies. People interviewed were selected by random probability methods. They were asked: “What is the single most important problem facing New • Zealand right now?” Their responses, as compared with those in the survey three months earlier, were:—

® Overseas trade by men, Dunedin city residents, people aged 35 to 44, and National supporters. ® Law and order by women, Christchurch city residents, people aged 18 to 24, and National supporters. .. • Industrial' relations by' men, Auckland city residents, people aged 55 and over, and National supporters. ® Racial harmony by women, Auckland city residents, people aged 18 to 24, and National supporters. © Demonstrators by men and women, Christchurch provincial area residents, people aged 55 and over, and national supporters. Copyright 1982 — “New Zealand Herald" Tomorrow: New Zealanders say which system they prefer for parliamentary elections.

February 1982 November 1981 % % 34 43 20 18 15 12 7 6 4 3 3 5 2 2 2 2 1 1 z ?