OPINION POLL IN BRITAIN: SOCIAL SECURITY POPULAR

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 October 1948, Page 9

OPINION POLL IN BRITAIN: SOCIAL SECURITY POPULAR

LONDON, October 19.

The social security schemes, including the national health schemes, have been the most popular acts of the present British Government. Least popular have been their ventures in nationalisation. These are findings of a Gallup poll published by the News Chronicle. The Gallup poll was accurate to within 1 per cent, in its forecast of the General Election results in 1945.

To the question, “What would you say is the best thing this Government has done since it took office?” 35 per cent, said the national health scheme and social security, and 12 per cent, said increased pensions and care for old people. Nationalisation was placed first by 7 per cent, and improved standards of living, wage increases, and holidays with pay by 4 per cent. Ten per cent, of the public said the Government had done nothing good. To the question,-“What would you say is the worst thing this Government has done?” 20 per cent replied, “Nationalisation.” Next came 4 per cent, of votes each for the raised price of tobacco, a weak foreign policy, reduced food rations, and the retention of food rationing. Five per cent, said the Government had done nothing bad and 3 per cent, said everything they had done was baev In a leading article, the News Chronicle suggests that the poll indicates that many people, including the rank and file of the Labour must share the doubts about the plans to nationalise the iron and steel industry. A Daily Express poll of public opinion. says that 40 per cent, of the people asked named Mr Ernest Bevm as their choice to succeed Mr Attlee if he found it necessary to resign; 21 per cent, named Sir Stafford Cripps, and 7 per cent. Mr Herbert Morrison.