Labour call for polls code

Press, 6 December 1985, Page 29

Labour call for polls code

PA Wellington A code of practice should be drawn up for opinion polls, the Labour Party has suggested; to the -Royal Commission on the electrical system. - .■• Such a code would pe a guide for journalists interpreting poll results, the party has said in Wellington, in its final submission to the commission. However, the party saw the publication of poll results as part of the freedom of the press, and did not support the imposition of controls on publication. * It noted that the fear that polls bad an effect on the outcome of elections was widespread throughout the world, and had led to various efforts to control polling activity in pre-election periods. “Opinion polls are commissioned by political parties or interest groups for

their private use, as well as • by the media,” said Labour. “Attempts to control the publication of polls could result in selective leaks of V private polls by the parties. The Labour Party also strongly opposed appointing Cabinet Ministers who were not membera of Parliament, but supported Parliamentary select committees making greater use of outside specialist expertise. The party said that it could see no justification for creating a second chamber. The only proposal worth considering if such a chamber were elected would be one run along the lines of , Te Taha Maori, where legislation coming from Parliament would be checked in areas relevant to the Maori people.' Selection procedures for Parliamentary candidates were matters for political parties themselves, the party said.