Poll supports breather

Press, 19 December 1988, Page 3

Poll supports breather

New Zealanders were overwhelmingly in support of Rogernomics but just as strongly wanted the pace of change slowed or put on hold, an opinion poll, taken before the sacking of Mr Douglas found.

The latest “New Zealand Herald” — National Research Bureau poll found just 14 per cent of respondents wanted a complete change of course.

An equally low proportion wanted the economic programme of the last four years to continue at the same rate.

The largest number, a third of those polled, wanted change to continue but at a much slower rate then previously. Almost as many wanted a halt until people adjusted to reforms already made. The poll found significantly more men than women favoured pressing ahead at a rapid rate, though most men preferred a slowing of the pace. Women were more inclined to favour a halt.

Support for Rogernomics without let-up was strongest in the age group 35-44 and weakest among those aged 55 and over.

No significant difference was apparent between metropolitan and provincial areas. Intending National voters were markedly more conservative than Labour voters on the pace of change, but only 25 per cent of National supporters wanted a complete switch of direction. Among Labour voters, only 3 per cent wanted the Government to alter its course. Most wanted to

press ahead more slowly. The poll, taken between December 3 and 9, was conducted face-to-face among 2200 people selected by random probability methods in New Zealand’s 20 main population centres.

Respondents were asked: “Under what has commonly been called Rogernomics the Government has made a number of economic changes since 1984. Which of the

categories on this card best matches your opinion on any further changes over the next two years?” The card gave four options:

© Continue with changes at the present rate. • Stop any further changes until people and the economy have adjusted to the changes already made.

• Continue with changes, but at a much slower rate than in the past. • Change completely from the course being followed under Rogernomics. The results which were subject to a maximum margin of sampling error of plus or minus two per cent were:

Copyright 1988 — the “New Zealand Herald” TOMORROW: Party support.

Continue changes at same rate Continue changes at a slower rate Stop changes until people and economy have adjusted Change completely from course of 'Rogernomics’ Other answers

Don’t know/ no opinion

Sex Age Area Current Voting Inclination Total % M % F % 16-24 % 25-34 % 35-44 % 45-54 % 55+ % Metro % Prov. % Lab % .. Nat. % 14 20 8 16 13 19 13 11 15 14 29 7 33 32 33 28 36 35 33 31 33 31 41 23 31 27 35 31 29 29 31 33 30 32 22 37 14 2 13 3 15 1 15 2 12 3 11 2 14 3 17 1 14 3 13 2 3 2 25 3 6 5 8 8 7 4 6 7 5 8 3 5