Interview with William Hay

William Hay was born in Southampton, England in 1904 and came to New Zealand in 1912. Describes being a keen tennis player and attending Scots College from 1917 to 1920. Recalls having the flu in 1918. Talks about joining the law firm Meek and von Haast in 1921 and studying law while working there. Talks about marrying Ruth Pemberton.

Describes joining State Advances in 1934. Talks about his position as assistant to the office solicitor and working with the Court of Review which reviewed appeals made by borrowers from decisions of local committees. Notes that the Court was set up in the wake of the Depression when people had trouble meeting payments, particularly on farms. Describes how State Advances became the Mortgage Corporation in 1935 and later State Advances Corporation. Talks about A.D. Park and T. N. Smallwood, who were the managing directors for the Mortgage Corporation, and other staff.

Describes being in the Home Guard and being in charge of Head Office during World War II. Comments on women employees during the war and the State Advances Rehabilitation Schemes after the war. Notes that State Advances worked closely with the Lands Department, who acquired the land, and the Housing Construction Division of the Ministry of Works. Talks about the estalishment of Loans Committees for rehabilitation loans. Describes the selection of tenants and money lending for the state housing development at Porirua. Comments on the public attitude to state housing. Looks at the option for tenants to buy state houses and capitalise their family benefit in the 1950s. Describes the group housing scheme.

Talks about becoming General Manager and Managing Director. Comments on the Royal Commission on State Services. Recalls Walter Nash, John A. Lee and Ministers of Housing William Fox, John Rae, Tim Armstrong and Sir Keith Holyoake. Talks about retirement in 1969 and receiving the QSO.

Venue - Waikanae : 1988

Interviewer(s) - Susan Fowke

Venue - William Hay's home at Waikanae

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-002227; OHC-002228

Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 408.

Alternative form available:

Listening copies available at OHLC-003040 and OHLC-003041