Unemployment worry rises

Press, 13 October 1983, Page 12

Unemployment worry rises

Public anxiety over unemployment has reached the highest level recorded for any issue since measurements of the most important New Zealand problems began 12 years ago. In the latest “New Zealand Herald"National Research Bureau poll, 58 per cent of the people surveyed named unemployment as the most important problem, a rise from 56 per cent in July. However, concern about major economic problems (the general state of the economy, inflation, overseas trade, and unemployment) has fallen slightly — from 81 per cent in July to 80 per cent. Anxiety over inflation has decreased from 3 per cent to 2 per cent in the

The top 10 problems account for 95 per cent of voters’ primary concerns, compared with 93 per cent in July. Most concern about these problems is felt by the following groups: Unemployment: By women. Christchurch City residents, people aged 55 and over, Labour supporters. The economy: By men, Wellington City residents, people aged 45 to 54, National supporters. Social climate — public morality: By women, upper South Island provincial centre residents, people aged 45 to 54, Socred supporters. Overseas trade: By men, Christchurch City residents, people aged 25 to 34, New Zealand Party supporters. Government: By men, upper North Island provincial centre residents, people aged 25 to 34, Socred supporters.

same period. By comparison, it was 17 per cent in May of last year. Racial harmony joins the top 10 problems, displacing youth issues, with 1 per cent. Housing and industrial relations also polled 1 per cent, as did the wage and price freeze as a specific issue within the general state of the economy. The poll was taken between September 24 and 29 and surveyed 2000 eligible voters, chosen by random probability methods, from the 20 main population centres of New Zealand. The question asked was: "What is the single most important problem facing New Zealand right now?” The results, compared with those of previous polls, were:

Law and order: By women, Christchurch City and lower North Island provincial centre residents, people aged 25 to 34, National and New Zealand Party supporters. Inflation: By men, upper North Island provincial centre residents, People aged 25 to 34, uncommitted voters. Industrial relations: By men, lower South Island provincial centre residents, people aged 25 to 34, National supporters. Racial harmony: By women. Auckland City residents, people aged 25 to 34, National supporters. Housing: By women, Auckland City residents, people aged 25 to 44, Labour supporters. Copyright - The “New Zealand Herald,” 1983.

SEPT. JULY MAY 83 % APRIL 83 % NOV. 82 % MAY 82 % FEB. 82 % NOV. 81 % 83 % 83 % Unemployment 58 56 54 47 40 29 34 43 The economy in general 15 16 14 18 23 21 20 18 Social climate — public morality 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 6 Overseas trade 5 6 5 3 8 5 3 5 Government 4 1 2 3 2 4 4 3 Law and order 3 2 3 5 1 1 2 2 Inflation 2 3 3 5 9 17 15 12 Industrial relations 1 2 6 2 3 1 2 2 Racial harmony 1 — 1 2 1 1 1 1 Housing 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1