Interview with Harry Huse

Born in Palmerston North, the eldest of four children. Father was a telegraphist with the Post Office, and on retirement set himself up in a small business making wooden stepladders etc. Recalls childhood memories; discipline/punishment; religion; politics; social life; contact with Maori; sex education/childbirth; depression; and schools. Mentions local personalities; Jimmy Nash MP and Wattie Franks. Talks about first job in store and office at Alfa Laval Seperator Company with reference to staff; Brian Opie; Charles McMillan; Gott Lonn and Harry Johansen.

Joined staff of J B MacEwan (later MacEwans Machinery) and outlines career stretching from 1935 as a junior clerk where he rose to Chairman through Director of Levin & Co. to Chief excutive of NMA (National Mortgage & Agency Co. of New Zealand Ltd). He was instrumental with Sir Ronald Trotter in the merger of NMA with Wright Stephenson before his retirement in 1976.

Discusses his war service (World War II) - enlisted early 1940 and spent nearly 5 years in Middle East with 2nd NZEF Artillery. After war continued with J B MacEwan. Gives details of V R Gunn's career. Mentions competition with New Zealand Dairy Company. Describes relationship with Stock and Station Companies. Refers to introduction of milk tankers as a fundamental change. Appointed Director of Levin & Co. Ltd and manager of Machinery Department. Elaborates on the APB-Bell/Bryant Crisis (proposed takeover of MacEwans) and the winding up of Levin's Australian Branches. Refers to P F Burgess; G H M Cooper; L D F Galloway; P L Gould; J C L Lindstrom; R R Masefield; I Whittaker; M R Finn; M A Dusfield; M K Hammond and H B Hoskins.

Venue - Upper Hutt

Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson

Venue - 12 Barton Road, Upper Hutt

Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 4 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 0145.

Alternative form available: Copy available at Fletcher Challenge Archives

Listening copies OHLCD-0256 - OHLCD-0259; digital copies of tapes three and four also available

An online copy of the abstract is also available to read in the Library's Reading Rooms