Fears over ‘minders’ unfounded

Press, 26 September 1988, Page 2

Fears over ‘minders’ unfounded

By

OLIVER RIDDELL,

in Wellington

Fears that giving the Minister of Finance two “minders” in the recent Cabinet reshuffle would lead to a loss of economic confidence have proved unfounded. In the latest “Eyewit-ness”-Heylen public opinion poll there was growing confidence in the economic outlook next year. Those who thought the outlook was getting better represented 41 per cent of the poll, up six points from the 35 per cent who had been hopeful in Heylen’s August poll. On the other hand, those who thought the outlook was getting worse represented 36 per cent, down nine points from the 45 per cent who had been despondent in the August poll. This refutes suggestions that economic confidence

would wane because Mr Douglas had been given two Deputy Ministers — Mr Moore and Mr Caygill — who might restrain his monetarist policies.

The result also offers some long-term hope for a Government previously 16 per cent behind in the polls as the preferred Government because, in the past, there has been a flow-on effect two or three months later into support for it as a result of growing economic confidence. This hopeful prospect may counter the depression engendered by the poll result of the Government’s handling of the economy — 31 per cent approval and 58 per cent disapproval. That may be connected with the public’s view on how the Government is handling unemployment — 82 .per cent disapproved.