Interview with Bernard Galvin

Bernard Vincent Joseph Galvin born Brooklyn, Wellington, 1933. Outlines family background - father, Eustace Bartholomew Galvin a wharf tally clerk - mother of Irish and English descent. Refers to mother's sister who succeeded Mother Aubert as Rev. Mother Zita of the Home of Compassion. Describes early life in Island Bay, beaches, park, St Sophie's School and separation of catholics and protestants. Mentions the mixture of nationalities at St Sophie's School - Poles, Italians and Irish. Describes years at St Patrick's College Wellington with reference to scholastic ability and outlines University course.

Recalls joining Treasury in 1955 as first graduate and recalls staff and slight Masonic dominance. Mentions trip to Washington, studying Public Administration, mostly through seminars and recalls new ideas brought back, mainly about using economics instead of accountancy. Refers to deregulation with implications for Fiscal / Monetary Policy. Discusses Arnold Nordmeyer and Black Budget 1957. On return from Harvard transferred to Foreign Affairs, posted to London as Economic Counsel and talks about New Trade Agreement, with reference to Jim Moriarty (Industries and Commerce), Dr Sutch and Jack Marshall. Discusses delegation's capacity to secure good deal for New Zealand against Canadian and Australian record. Describes Haymarket High Commission building. Discusses relationship with [Sir] Robert Muldoon. Talks about duties as Head of Prime Minister's Department which meant head of Security Intelligence Council and mentions Sofinsky expulsion. Refers to Brigadier Gilbert. Other topics discussed include: SUP; Think Tank; effects of overhauled exchange rates explained; Wage-Price Freeze, Wage-fixing and General Wage Orders; events of defeat in 1984; early post-election discussions with Roger Douglas and need for deregulation; views on SOEs and privatisation. Reflects on Catholic Commission for Peace and Justice involvement regards Treasury.

Access Contact - see oral history librarian

Interviewer(s) - David Young

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008820-008822; OHLC-004463-004465

Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1. 3 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2726.

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-004463 - OHLC-004465