Interview with Dr Colin Campbell Aikman

Colin Aikman was born in Picton in 1919. Talks about working in his family's grocery shop in Palmerston North. Notes that the family had owned a farm in Levin but had to leave during the post World War I slump. Describes his mother's involvement in the New Zealand Rose Society and her work in the grocery shop and running a cake business. Comments on her attitudes to politics and religion. Describes his feelings about childhood and school. Talks about his masters degree in law at Victoria University.

Describes being assistant to the Air Secretary during World War II, dealing with Alister McIntosh and beginning work as a clerk with the Department of External Affairs. Mentions Frank Corner, Sir George Laking, Foss Shanahan, Tom Sherrard and J.V. Wilson. Discusses Peter Fraser. Comments on his own membership of the Institute of International Affairs.

Discusses the 1945 San Francisco United Nations Conference in detail. Notes that New Zealand was represented at the conference by Sir Michael Myers, Chief Justice. Describes the major issues as whether the old court be used or a new one established, compulsory jurisdiction and the veto. Comments on the relationship between Sir Carl Berendsen and Sir Michael Myers. Describes completing a PhD on international relations of members of the Commonwealth at the London School of Economics.

Talks about the United Nations Conference in 1948. Discusses becoming legal adviser to External Affairs in 1949, working with Sir Clifton Webb, Sir Leslie Munro, W.B. Sutch, Sir Sidney Holland and Sir Alister McIntosh. Refers to the changing relationship of New Zealand with Great Britain. Describes becoming Professor of Law at Victoria University in 1955. Discusses his role in the constitutional review of the Cook Islands, resulting in autonomy rather than self-government, and becoming the New Zealand advisor on the development of the constitution. Talks about becoming Vice-Chancellor of the University of South Pacific in Fiji in 1968. Comments on independence in Western Samoa, the roles of Tupua Tamasese and Mata Afa, self-government in Niue and the role of the UN in achieving this.

Describes being High Commissioner to India from 1975-1979 and working on trade with India. Comments on attitudes of the New Zealand government to relations with India. Refers to Sir Edmund Hillary.

Venue - Wellington : 1987

Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson

Venue - Dr Aikman's home in Petone

Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3.30 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 228.

Search dates: 1987

Alternative form available: Once permission is given a digital copy of the recording is available in the Library's Reading Room. Listening copies are available at OHLC-002757 - OHLC-002760