Interview with Andrew Rae

Andrew Watson Rae recalls early life at West Calder, Scotland; school years and paper run, especially during winter time; social life in Scotland, which included vigorous dances; involvement in soccer, with reference to quarter final game at West Calder and referee from Trinidad; and activities of the Free Church of Scotland. Gives family background - father a coal miner.

Joined the Royal Navy as a cook, serving in Mediterranean minesweeping 1946. Refers to minesweeping incident involving `Albania' and Britain'. Talks about being demobbed from Navy and friends who became professional footballers.

Recalls hearing of jobs in Merchant Service delivering ships to New Zealand, and was on delivery voyage as second cook and baker. Reference to New Zealand Government offering 100 pounds (sterling) to the crew to stay in New Zealand and decision to accept. Recalls meeting with Bill Fox, Secretary of Seamen's Union, later MP and Minister of Marine, who offered the job of bread making on the `Pamir' sailing to United Kingdom. Describes the journey and refers to Captain Burfeldt. Tells the story of the `Pamir' later going down off the Azores with only two survivers. Discusses other work experience; Union Steamship Company on the wheat run between New Zealand and Australia; Hotel Industry in Cambridge, Waikato; assistant manager at Hamilton Hotel; Kawerau, Hotel Bay of Plenty with reference to Sir Ernest Davis (1959) and Harold Hill of Hancock and Co. Mentions 6 o'clock closing until 1967.

Talks about affiliation with New Zealand Labour Party (NZLP) through the Trade Union Movement - refers to George Whatmough, Industrial Relations Officer for Tasman Pulp and Paper Company in Kawerau. Others mentioned include: Harry Pollitt, Harold Laski (Baker's Union Scotland); Bruce Gregory; Mat Rata: David Lange; Roger Douglas; Bob Tizard; Koro Wetere; Johanthan Hunt and Trevor Mallard.

Access Contact - see oral history librarian

Venue - Kaitaia

Interviewer(s) - Robert Paton

Venue - Waipapakauri Hotel, Awanui

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-004267-004268

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

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB-0904.

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

Alternative form available:

Listening copies are available at OHLC-006159 and OHLC-006160