Interview with Allan Atkinson

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.

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-006968 - OHLC-006971