NATIONAL OPPOSITION AHEAD IN N.Z. OPINION POLL
The opposition National Party took a
five percentage point lead over New Zealand's Labour government
in an opinion poll, reversing the seven point lead held by
Labour in a comparable poll in February.
    In the regular Television New Zealand Heylen/Eyewitness
poll, National's support rose to 50 pct against 45 pct a month
earlier while Labour's popularity dropped to 45 pct from 52
pct. National has not been ahead in this poll since April.
    This result contrasts with a newspaper poll published
yesterday that put Labour's popularity at 50 pct and National's
at 44 pct.
    Both polls showed large numbers of voters are uncommitted.
    Approval of the government's handling of the economy also
dropped in the television poll, to 34 pct from 40 pct.
    Prime Minister David Lange remained first choice as Prime
Minister but with 25 pct against 28 pct last month. Opposition
leader Jim Bolger remained steady on nine pct in this category
but his colleague and former Prime Minister Robert Muldoon rose
two points to 18 pct.
    An election is due to be held before September this year.
 REUTER

