A Hobson Questionnaire^*

* This research was rendered possible with the aid of the Universities Research Grants Committee. The author is indebted to Professor R. Chapman and Dr G. Seber of Auckland University and to Professor R. H. Brookes and Mr A. H. Ashenden of Victoria University of Wellington for their help and advice.

Abstract

The author of this article, engaged on research into the Social Credit movement in New Zealand, decided to take advantage of the heightened political interest of election time, November 1966, to try to ascertain certain political views of electors in Hobson, especially with regard to the influence of Social Credit in the area. In 1966 three candidates stood for Hobson, New Zealand’s most northerly and, over the years, most volatile electorate. They were the sitting member, Mr L. F. Sloane (National); the Leader of the New Zealand Social Credit Political League, Mr V. F. Cracknell; and Mr M. Srhoj of the Labour Party. In 1963 Mr Cracknell came within 31 votes of unseating Mr Sloane and, with only one exception (Wanganui 1957), at every election since 1954, when Social Credit first formally entered the political arena, Hobson has been the electorate to support the league most strongly in terms of votes.

Notes

* This research was rendered possible with the aid of the Universities Research Grants Committee. The author is indebted to Professor R. Chapman and Dr G. Seber of Auckland University and to Professor R. H. Brookes and Mr A. H. Ashenden of Victoria University of Wellington for their help and advice.