AUDIO
Interview with Allan Atkinson
- Date
- 10 May 1984
- By
- Atkinson, Leonard Allan, 1906-1998
- Reference
- OHInt-0101/01
- Description
Leonard Allan Atkinson born Island Bay 1906. Outlines family background - parents came to New Zealand on their honeymoon 1905 from the Lake District, England, travelling on the 5 masted Shaw Savill steamer, `Athenic'. Talks about connection with St Hilda's Church of England and gives details of various committees served on. Childhood memories recalled include: time at the beach, fishing, with reference to Italian fishermen; flu epidemic (1918) and classical education.
Mentions career hopes and recalls joining Customs Department 1924, remaining until 1941. Describes duties as a clerk in the Longroom. Talks about the effects of the Depression on the Customs Department, causing increase on workload, and refers to introduction of Sales tax as a temporary measure but which remained. Recalls appointment as Stats Officer in charge of Statistical Branch to make changes. Mentions career moves to Records, then Foreign Immigration, dealing mainly with Yugoslavs, Chinese and Indians. Explains immigration policy. Refers to poll tax on Chinese. Also refers to `5 percenter'. Recalls raids on Haining Street, Wellington for opium and Pakapoo dens. Mentions being selected for first diploma in Public Administration (DPA) course at Victoria University, Wellington (1940-1941) which was done on a bursary only. Also recalls M. Com with thesis, `History of Customs Tariff, Policy and Legislation, 1840-1930s'. Mentions effectiveness of Customs Collected Revenues. Describes involvement with Import Licensing. Refers to Dr Athol McKay, Treasury (later drowned). Recalls being Chairman of Public Service Commission and Chairman of Combined Services Organisation (the negotiating body for Government for general wage increases). Talks about Walter Nash, Peter Fraser, Sidney Holland, Keith Holyoake and Tom Shand.
Access Contact - see oral history librarian
Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe
Accompanying material - Photocopies of newspaper cuttings re Mr Atkinson's career
Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3 Hours Duration.
Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-0087.
- Additional description
Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-006968 - OHLC-006971
- Use/Reproduction
- No public use without written permission of donor Copyright: Copyright held by New Zealand Customs Department
- Access restrictions
- Restricted - Content cannot be accessed without permission - Access requires written permission of the donor
- Part of
- NZOHA Customs Department Oral History Project Part II
- Format
- 4 C60 cassette(s), 1 printed abstract(s), 3 Hours Duration, Oral histories, Equipment used: Marantz superscope Cassette recorder + 2 AKG microphones
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Copyright
All Rights ReservedInterview with Allan Atkinson, tape one (side b)
Date: 10 May 1984
From: NZOHA Customs Department Oral History Project Part II
Reference: OHC-000505b
Description: Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe Arrangement: Tape sequence - 1 of 4 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s).
Interview with Allan Atkinson, tape four (side a)
Date: 10 May 1984
From: NZOHA Customs Department Oral History Project Part II
Reference: OHC-000508a
Description: Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe Arrangement: Tape sequence - 4 of 4 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s).
Interview with Allan Atkinson, printed abstract
Date: 10 May 1984
From: NZOHA Customs Department Oral History Project Part II
Reference: OHA-0087
Description: Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete.
Interview with Allan Atkinson, tape two
Date: 10 May 1984
From: NZOHA Customs Department Oral History Project Part II
Reference: OHC-000506
Description: Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe Arrangement: Tape sequence - 2 of 4 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s).
Interview with Allan Atkinson, tape three
Date: 10 May 1984
From: NZOHA Customs Department Oral History Project Part II
Reference: OHC-000507
Description: Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe Arrangement: Tape sequence - 3 of 4 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s).