D0061: Age Poll, February, 1972
POLLING ORGANISATION Irving Saulwick and Associates SURVEY METHOD The sampled population consists of men and women aged 18 years and older from 50 electorates in Melbourne and Sydney. Starting points in each electorate are proportionately allocated on the basis of 1971 electoral enrolments, and 2 interviews per starting point are obtained with only one per dwelling. The interview is conducted with the youngest adult over the age of 18 available subject to a sex quota of one male:one female at each starting point. This poll is based on 1,001 interviews conducted in February 1972. BACKGROUND VARIABLES age / sex / highest level of education / religion / church attendance / occupation / occupation of head of household / marital status / vote at last Federal election / voting intention / country of birth / WEIGHTING The responses are unweighted. THEMES - NAMES AND RESPONSES 2. There has been a lot of talk lately about Australian aid to overseas countries. I'm going to read you some statements that people have made, and I'd like you to tell me to what extent you agree according to this card.. 2a. The first statement is Australia should provide aid to other countries where the need is greatest - regardless of those countries' politics - Do you agree strongly, agree in part, disagree in part, or disagree strongly with the statement? (Read out again slowly and clearly) Category label Code Count Percent AGREE STRONGLY 1 293 29.3 AGREE IN PART 2 462 46.2 DISAGREE IN PART 3 106 10.6 DISAGREE STRONGLY 4 128 12.8 NOT ESTABLISHED 9 12 1.2 ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 2b. Australia should help her own poor or under-privileged people before she thinks about assisting people in other countries - Do you agree strongly, agree in part, disagree in part, or disagree strongly with the statement? (Read out again slowly and clearly) Category label Code Count Percent AGREE STRONGLY 1 735 73.4 AGREE IN PART 2 207 20.7 DISAGREE IN PART 3 43 4.3 DISAGREE STRONGLY 4 11 1.1 NOT ESTABLISHED 9 5 .5 ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 2c. Much of the money collected to aid people in other countries never gets to the people who really need it - Do you agree strongly, agree in part, disagree in part, or disagree strongly with the statement? (Read out again slowly and clearly) Category label Code Count Percent AGREE STRONGLY 1 399 39.9 AGREE IN PART 2 348 34.8 DISAGREE IN PART 3 106 10.6 DISAGREE STRONGLY 4 43 4.3 NOT ESTABLISHED 9 105 10.5 ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 2d. It is better to send food and other goods rather than money to countries in need - Do you agree strongly, agree in part, disagree in part, or disagree strongly with the statement? (Read out again slowly and clearly) Category label Code Count Percent AGREE STRONGLY 1 510 50.9 AGREE IN PART 2 244 24.4 DISAGREE IN PART 3 114 11.4 DISAGREE STRONGLY 4 101 10.1 NOT ESTABLISHED 9 32 3.2 ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 2e. Australia's interests would best be served by spending more on defence rather than be increasing aid to other countries - Do you agree strongly, agree in part, disagree in part, or disagree strongly with the statement? (Read out again slowly and clearly) Category label Code Count Percent AGREE STRONGLY 1 288 28.8 AGREE IN PART 2 264 26.4 DISAGREE IN PART 3 192 19.2 DISAGREE STRONGLY 4 217 21.7 NOT ESTABLISHED 9 40 4.0 ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 2f. Australia should give aid only when the government considers that it would be to our national advantage to do so - Do you agree strongly, agree in part, disagree in part, or disagree strongly with the statement? (Read out again slowly and clearly) Category label Code Count Percent AGREE STRONGLY 1 250 25.0 AGREE IN PART 2 245 24.5 DISAGREE IN PART 3 183 18.3 DISAGREE STRONGLY 4 297 29.7 NOT ESTABLISHED 9 26 2.6 ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 3. And now a few questions about behaviour in Australia. I am going to read you a number of statements with which some people definitely agree while others do NOT agree .. and as I read out each one, would you tell me how far YOU PERSONALLY agree or disagree with the particular statement, again according to the card? 3a. It is all right to understate your income when filling in your tax return Category label Code Count Percent AGREE STRONGLY 1 89 8.9 AGREE IN PART 2 133 13.3 DISAGREE IN PART 3 96 9.6 DISAGREE STRONGLY 4 665 66.4 NOT ESTABLISHED 9 18 1.8 ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 3b. It is all right to drive a car after an evening's drinking at a party Category label Code Count Percent AGREE STRONGLY 1 16 1.6 AGREE IN PART 2 110 11.0 DISAGREE IN PART 3 133 13.3 DISAGREE STRONGLY 4 736 73.5 NOT ESTABLISHED 9 6 .6 ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 3c. It is all right to throw cans at the umpire or referee Category label Code Count Percent AGREE STRONGLY 1 10 1.0 AGREE IN PART 2 13 1.3 DISAGREE IN PART 3 20 2.0 DISAGREE STRONGLY 4 952 95.1 NOT ESTABLISHED 9 6 .6 ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 3d. It is all right to smoke pot (Marijuana) Category label Code Count Percent AGREE STRONGLY 1 24 2.4 AGREE IN PART 2 72 7.2 DISAGREE IN PART 3 90 9.0 DISAGREE STRONGLY 4 794 79.3 NOT ESTABLISHED 9 21 2.1 ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 3e. It is all right to use public transport without paying your fare Category label Code Count Percent AGREE STRONGLY 1 32 3.2 AGREE IN PART 2 53 5.3 DISAGREE IN PART 3 79 7.9 DISAGREE STRONGLY 4 832 83.1 NOT ESTABLISHED 9 5 .5 ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 3f. It is all right to have an abortion Category label Code Count Percent AGREE STRONGLY 1 161 16.1 AGREE IN PART 2 353 35.3 DISAGREE IN PART 3 152 15.2 DISAGREE STRONGLY 4 305 30.5 NOT ESTABLISHED 9 30 3.0 ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 3g. It is all right to keep the money if you receive too much change from a department store Category label Code Count Percent AGREE STRONGLY 1 69 6.9 AGREE IN PART 2 120 12.0 DISAGREE IN PART 3 111 11.1 DISAGREE STRONGLY 4 698 69.7 NOT ESTABLISHED 9 3 .3 ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 3h. It is all right to refuse to register for National Military Service Category label Code Count Percent AGREE STRONGLY 1 143 14.3 AGREE IN PART 2 128 12.8 DISAGREE IN PART 3 113 11.3 DISAGREE STRONGLY 4 600 59.9 NOT ESTABLISHED 9 17 1.7 ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 4. As you probably know, a federal election will be held some time this year. Here is a list of problems .. Which is the MOST IMPORTANT as far as you are concerned? Which next, etc.? 4a. Economic Growth Category label Code Count Percent FIRST CHOICE 1 133 13.4 SECOND CHOICE 2 90 9.1 THIRD CHOICE 3 94 9.5 FOURTH CHOICE 4 98 9.9 FIFTH CHOICE 5 130 13.1 SIXTH CHOICE 6 134 13.5 SEVENTH CHOICE 7 103 10.4 EIGHTH CHOICE 8 116 11.7 NINTH CHOICE 9 92 9.3 DK;NS 0 11 Missing ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 4b. Defence Category label Code Count Percent FIRST CHOICE 1 39 3.9 SECOND CHOICE 2 42 4.2 THIRD CHOICE 3 72 7.3 FOURTH CHOICE 4 99 10.0 FIFTH CHOICE 5 123 12.4 SIXTH CHOICE 6 145 14.6 SEVENTH CHOICE 7 148 14.9 EIGHTH CHOICE 8 140 14.1 NINTH CHOICE 9 184 18.5 DK;NS 0 9 Missing ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 4c. Education Category label Code Count Percent FIRST CHOICE 1 217 21.8 SECOND CHOICE 2 215 21.6 THIRD CHOICE 3 185 18.6 FOURTH CHOICE 4 147 14.8 FIFTH CHOICE 5 94 9.4 SIXTH CHOICE 6 55 5.5 SEVENTH CHOICE 7 37 3.7 EIGHTH CHOICE 8 24 2.4 NINTH CHOICE 9 21 2.1 DK;NS 0 6 Missing ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 4d. Inflation Category label Code Count Percent FIRST CHOICE 1 140 14.1 SECOND CHOICE 2 128 12.9 THIRD CHOICE 3 100 10.1 FOURTH CHOICE 4 115 11.6 FIFTH CHOICE 5 124 12.5 SIXTH CHOICE 6 114 11.5 SEVENTH CHOICE 7 111 11.2 EIGHTH CHOICE 8 94 9.5 NINTH CHOICE 9 67 6.7 DK;NS 0 8 Missing ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 4e. Unemployment Category label Code Count Percent FIRST CHOICE 1 215 21.6 SECOND CHOICE 2 191 19.2 THIRD CHOICE 3 144 14.5 FOURTH CHOICE 4 114 11.4 FIFTH CHOICE 5 92 9.2 SIXTH CHOICE 6 81 8.1 SEVENTH CHOICE 7 62 6.2 EIGHTH CHOICE 8 64 6.4 NINTH CHOICE 9 33 3.3 DK;NS 0 5 Missing ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 4f. Social Services Category label Code Count Percent FIRST CHOICE 1 98 9.9 SECOND CHOICE 2 123 12.4 THIRD CHOICE 3 135 13.6 FOURTH CHOICE 4 137 13.8 FIFTH CHOICE 5 128 12.9 SIXTH CHOICE 6 118 11.9 SEVENTH CHOICE 7 119 12.0 EIGHTH CHOICE 8 92 9.3 NINTH CHOICE 9 43 4.3 DK;NS 0 8 Missing ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 4g. Law and Order Category label Code Count Percent FIRST CHOICE 1 85 8.6 SECOND CHOICE 2 84 8.5 THIRD CHOICE 3 126 12.7 FOURTH CHOICE 4 141 14.2 FIFTH CHOICE 5 134 13.5 SIXTH CHOICE 6 119 12.0 SEVENTH CHOICE 7 147 14.8 EIGHTH CHOICE 8 97 9.8 NINTH CHOICE 9 60 6.0 DK;NS 0 8 Missing ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 4h. Control of the Environment Category label Code Count Percent FIRST CHOICE 1 39 3.9 SECOND CHOICE 2 58 5.9 THIRD CHOICE 3 64 6.5 FOURTH CHOICE 4 84 8.5 FIFTH CHOICE 5 104 10.5 SIXTH CHOICE 6 129 13.0 SEVENTH CHOICE 7 158 15.9 EIGHTH CHOICE 8 202 20.4 NINTH CHOICE 9 153 15.4 DK;NS 0 10 Missing ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 4i. Strikes Category label Code Count Percent FIRST CHOICE 1 57 5.8 SECOND CHOICE 2 63 6.4 THIRD CHOICE 3 75 7.6 FOURTH CHOICE 4 54 5.5 FIFTH CHOICE 5 62 6.3 SIXTH CHOICE 6 93 9.4 SEVENTH CHOICE 7 101 10.2 EIGHTH CHOICE 8 155 15.7 NINTH CHOICE 9 329 33.3 DK;NS 0 12 Missing ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 5. As you know, Australian troops have now been withdrawn from Vietnam, and Australian defence planners are thinking about our future defence requirements .. Should they - Continue with the present system of national service, which involves a ballot for 20 year old males, to register for military service in Australia OR abroad OR Continue with the present wywtem of ballot, but NOT require those who are drafted to serve abroad (only within Australia) OR Abolish the present system and rely entirely on volunteers (Only ONE answer to be recorded. Encourage "best guess") Category label Code Count Percent CONTINUE BALLOT 1 229 22.9 NO OVERSEAS SERVICE 2 401 40.1 VOLUNTEERS ONLY 3 326 32.6 NOT ESTABLISHED 9 45 4.5 ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 6a. There is much talk about economic conditions in Australia - Would you say that the economic conditions in Australia today are very good, good, fair, poor, very poor? Category label Code Count Percent VERY GOOD 1 45 4.5 GOOD 2 255 25.5 FAIR 3 470 47.0 POOR 4 137 13.7 VERY POOR 5 82 8.2 NOT ESTABLISHED 9 12 1.2 ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 6b. And in SIXTH MONTHS TIME do you feel they will be very good, good, fair, poor, or very poor? Category label Code Count Percent VERY GOOD 1 67 6.7 GOOD 2 280 28.0 FAIR 3 317 31.7 POOR 4 174 17.4 VERY POOR 5 117 11.7 NOT ESTABLISHED 9 46 4.6 ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 6c. Why do you say that? (i) 1st reason Category label Code Count Percent THINGS CANT GET WORSE 1 29 2.9 THINGS ARE ALL RIGHT NOW 2 33 3.3 ELECTION WILL CHANGE GOVT 3 39 3.9 ELECTION TO IMPROVE PRESENT GOVT 4 61 6.1 SHARES\STOCKS GOING UP 5 2 .2 PROSPEROUS\WEALTHY COUNTRY 6 30 3.0 GOVT. STIMULATING ECONOMY 7 10 1.0 THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER 8 33 3.3 INCREASED EMPLOYMENT 9 95 9.5 HAVE CONFIDENCE IN GOVT 10 9 .9 STRIKES HAVE BEEN SETTLED 11 9 .9 PLENTY OF MONEY\C.O.L. 12 11 1.1 PRODUCTIVITY\EXP. INCREASE 13 6 .6 STABLE PRICES\ECONOMY 14 14 1.4 MCMAHON - WEAK\NOT MAN FOR JOB 18 25 2.5 NO CONFIDENCE IN GOVT 19 102 10.2 THE SYSTEM IS NO GOOD 20 56 5.6 C. O. L.\RISING PRICES\SPIRAL 21 70 7.0 INFLATION 22 28 2.8 NO PRICE CONTROL 23 6 .6 STRIKES\INDUSTRIAL UNREST 24 35 3.5 UNEMPLOYMENT 25 58 5.8 MIGRATION 26 6 .6 EDUCATION 27 3 .3 OVER-PRODUCTION 28 4 .4 INCIPIENT DEPRESSION 29 10 1.0 PRESSURE GROUPS 30 4 .4 OVERSEAS INVESTMENT 31 13 1.3 SOCIAL INJUSTICES 32 4 .4 E. E. C. INFLUENCES 33 3 .3 WORLD WIDE CHANGES 34 2 .2 DEVALUATION 35 2 .2 SIX MONTHS TOO SHORT A TIME 36 78 7.8 BY COMPARISON WITH OVERSEAS 37 13 1.3 WITH ELECTION GOVT. WILL BE SAME 38 34 3.4 UNSTABLE ECONOMY 39 4 .4 40 4 .4 LACK OF GOVT. FUNDS 41 1 .1 NO REASON\GO REVOLUTIONARY 45 55 5.5 ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 (ii) 2nd reason Category label Code Count Percent THINGS CANT GET WORSE 1 1 .1 ELECTION WILL CHANGE GOVT 3 5 .5 ELECTION TO IMPROVE PRESENT GOVT 4 3 .3 SHARES\STOCKS GOING UP 5 1 .1 PROSPEROUS\WEALTHY COUNTRY 6 5 .5 GOVT. STIMULATING ECONOMY 7 1 .1 THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER 8 2 .2 INCREASED EMPLOYMENT 9 793 79.2 HAVE CONFIDENCE IN GOVT 10 2 .2 STRIKES HAVE BEEN SETTLED 11 5 .5 PLENTY OF MONEY\C.O.L. 12 3 .3 PRODUCTIVITY\EXP. INCREASE 13 1 .1 STABLE PRICES\ECONOMY 14 4 .4 MCMAHON - WEAK\NOT MAN FOR JOB 18 2 .2 NO CONFIDENCE IN GOVT 19 17 1.7 THE SYSTEM IS NO GOOD 20 5 .5 C. O. L.\RISING PRICES\SPIRAL 21 29 2.9 INFLATION 22 17 1.7 NO PRICE CONTROL 23 5 .5 STRIKES\INDUSTRIAL UNREST 24 30 3.0 UNEMPLOYMENT 25 32 3.2 MIGRATION 26 5 .5 EDUCATION 27 2 .2 OVER-PRODUCTION 28 2 .2 INCIPIENT DEPRESSION 29 2 .2 PRESSURE GROUPS 30 1 .1 OVERSEAS INVESTMENT 31 3 .3 SOCIAL INJUSTICES 32 2 .2 SIX MONTHS TOO SHORT A TIME 36 7 .7 BY COMPARISON WITH OVERSEAS 37 3 .3 WITH ELECTION GOVT. WILL BE SAME 38 1 .1 UNSTABLE ECONOMY 39 2 .2 40 6 .6 NO REASON\GO REVOLUTARY 45 1 .1 60 1 .1 ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 (iii) 3rd reason Category label Code Count Percent ELECTION TO IMPROVE GOVT 4 1 .1 THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER 8 1 .1 INCREASED EMPLOYMENT 9 964 96.3 STABLE PRICES\ECONOMY 14 1 .1 NO CONFIDENCE IN GOVT 19 4 .4 C. O. L.\RISING PRICES\SPIRAL 21 3 .3 INFLATION 22 5 .5 NO PRICE CONTROL 23 2 .2 STRIKES\INDUSTRIAL UNREST 24 6 .6 UNEMPLOYMENT 25 10 1.0 MIGRATION 26 1 .1 UNSTABLE ECONOMY 39 1 .1 40 1 .1 NO REASON\GO REVOLUTARY 45 1 .1 ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 7. Last time we conducted this poll, we asked people about the leaders of the two main political parties in Australia .. Mr. McMahon, and Mr. Whitlam. We are repeating this question today. 7a. Take Mr. McMahon first of all. If YOU PERSONALLY had to give him a mark out of TEN for his popularity - what mark would you give? TEN means he is EXTREMELY POPULAR .. ONE means he is EXTREMELY UNPOPULAR .. You can give him any number between one and ten. Category label Code Count Percent 1 1 225 22.5 2 2 63 6.3 3 3 80 8.0 4 4 102 10.2 5 5 259 25.9 6 6 78 7.8 7 7 80 8.0 8 8 53 5.3 9 9 9 .9 10 10 30 3.0 NOT ESTABLISHED 99 22 2.2 ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0 7b. Now, I'd like you to rate Mr. Whitlam in the same way .. for HIS popularity as far as YOU are concerned. (Record the figure "0" ONLY if you cannot obtain ANY rating between 1 and 10) (In other words, if respondent says "none", the figure "1" is to be recorded) Category label Code Count Percent 1 1 136 13.6 2 2 59 5.9 3 3 64 6.4 4 4 91 9.1 5 5 225 22.5 6 6 111 11.1 7 7 86 8.6 8 8 107 10.7 9 9 21 2.1 10 10 70 7.0 NOT ESTABLISHED 99 31 3.1 ------- ------ Total 1001 100.0
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