Poll shows firm support for C.E.R.

Press, 26 October 1982, Page 12

Poll shows firm support for C.E.R.

In a poll on constitutional issues, New Zealanders have shown that they firmly support closer economic relations with Australia, still favour three-year Parliaments, although there is much support for a change to four or five years, and are evenly split, but with marked geographic differences, on whether to retain appeals to the Privy Council. These results come from a "New Zealand Herald’’National Research Bureau survey held in the 20 main population centres between September 18 and 22. The survey covered 2000 people aged 15 and over selected by random probability methods. C.E.R. People were asked: “Do you support closer economic relations with Australia'’" The responses were: Yes 62 No 18 Don’t know 20 Men support C.E.R. by 65 per cent to 18 per cent and women by 59 to 18. Among the geographical divisions, the Christchurch provincial area shows the greatest support at 66 per cent to 22, and the Dunedin provincial area shows the least at 46 to 28. Auckland city and province each show 64 per cent support, Wellington city and province show 62 and 59 respectively, Christchurch city shows 61, and Dunedin city, 57. People aged 35 to 44 show the greatest support for C.E.R. (70 per cent for, 14 against). Least enthusiasm is shown by those aged 15 to 24, who are 57 per cent for and 20 against ’

Parliaments term People were asked: "Which Parliamentary term would you prefer: three, four or five years?" The responses were: Three years 52 Four years 21 Five years 23 Don’t know 4 In September, 1967, a national referendum on the Parliamentary term recorded a vote of 68.1 per cent for three years and 31.9 per cent for four years. A "Herald"-N.R.B. poll in September. 1980. put a similar question in different form. It found that 38 per cent Of respondents agreed that the term of Parliament should be extended from three to four years and 51 per cent disagreed. Eleven per cent were neutral. The topic was revived in April this year when South Island Young Nationals called for a referendum in 1984 on a four-year term. In June Sir Frank Holmes, then chairman of the Planning Council, also suggested a 1984 referendum on a longer term. Business and political leaders joined the discussion. The Prime Minister, Mr Muldoon, opposed a longer term because, he said, "the one constitutional sanction we have" against a Government's exceeding a reasonable use of its powers was to make it face the public every three years. The Labour Party spokesman on constitutional matters, Mr G. W. R. Palmer, said he was totally opposed to an extension of the term unless a whole series of associated constitutional changes were made. In August the Government

caucus quasneo a move oy Miss Ruth Richardson, member for Selwyn, to introduce a bill for a 1984 referendum. Since then, discussion has died away. In the latest “Herald"N.R.B. poll, three years is most favoured by women. Christchurch provincial area residents, and people aged 15 to 24. It is least favoured by men, Auckland city residents and people aged 35 to 44. Four years is most favoured by men, Wellington city residents, and people aged 45 to 54. It is least favoured by women, Dunedin provincial area residents, and people aged 15 to 24. Five years is most favoured by men, Christchurch city residents, and people aged 35 to 44. It is least favoured by women, Dunedin provincial area residents, and people aged 15 to 24. PRIVY COUNCIL The Privy Council's ruling in July on Western Samoan citizenship caused some people to question whether the council should continue to be New Zealand’s court of last resort. The "Herald"-N.R.B. survey asked: “Should New Zealand continue to use the Privy Council as the final court of appeal?" The responses were: Yes 40 No 40 Don’t know 20 Women support the Privy Council's role; they answered 39 per cent yes and 35 per cent no. Men oppose it; tney answered 45 per cent no and 41 per cent yes. Geographically, the responses were: Yes No

port than opposition for continuing the Privy Council’s role comes from people aged 15 to 24 and people aged 45 to 54, the latter group displaying the greatest net support at 47 .per cent yes and 41 per cent no. Net opposition comes from people aged 25 to 34, people aged 35 to 44, and people aged 55 and over. The 35 to 44 age-group shows the greatest net opposition at 45 per cent no, 39 per cent yes. Copyright, 1982 — “New Zealand Herald.”

% % Akld city 35 44 Wgtn city 33 51 Chch city 40 39 Dun city 51 27 Akld prov 38 40 Wgtn prov 44 38 Chch prov 49 32 Dun prov 50 25 By age-groups. more sup-