AUDIO
Interview with Jack Young
- Date
- 30 May 1991
- By
- Young, John Alexander, 1898-1995
- Reference
- OHColl-0149/1
- Description
John Alexander (Jack) Young born Hamilton. Outlines family background - father, Sir James Alexander Young (Alec Young), a dentist, was Mayor of Hamilton and MP for Waipa - paternal grandfather, ? Young, came from County Sligo in Ireland. Was aged 2 years when mother died. Describes childhood and growing up with relatives; education; other members of the family; early work on farm and gumfields, with reference to Ridd, Trelorne and Kennedy (first milking machines). Recalls his early interest in reading about politics and developing an interest in Parliamentary reporting. Recalls his expereince of World War I (under age to go to war) but was sent to C1 Camp at Featherston which he describes. Describes Flu Epidemic (1918-1919) and recalls the numbers who died at Featherston Camp - gives a detailed description of making coffins and digging graves. Reference to ship `Niagara'.
Backgrounds his entry into reporting, joining the Waikato Times as a printer and then as a reporter (1922); Dominion Newspaper, Wellington (1926-1964) and Parliamentary Press Gallery in 1928, where he remained for 27 years, being appointed Assistant Editor of Dominion Newspaper in 1957. Considers his most distinguished contribution to Journalism was as a writer of `Lobby Letter', a column on the editorial page. Refers to Neil Blundell.
Describes politics and politicians, particularly for the 1930s. Describes a statesman. Gives views on first Labour Government (1935) and describes Peter Fraser. Mentions Ken Poulton (Press Gallery). Discusses capital punishment and hangings attended by journalists which was regarded as an ordinary newspaper job. Recalls Parliamentary Inquiry into capital punishment with reference to comments made by Sir Arnold Nordmeyer.
Access Contact - see oral history librarian
Venue - Wellington
Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe
Venue - 14 Hector Street, Seatoun, Wellington
Accompanying material - A substantial collection of photographs, clippings, parliamentary reports, newspapers, books and memorabilia relating to Mr Young's years as a Parliamentary journalist
Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-004875-004876; OHLC-001108-001110
Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 3 Hours Duration.
Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB-0894.
- Additional description
Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.
Alternative form available: A digital copy of the recording is available
- Use/Reproduction
- Publication requires permission of donors Copyright: Copyright held by the Alexander Turnbull Library
- Access restrictions
- Partly restricted material
- Format
- 3 C60 cassette(s), 3 Hours Duration, Oral histories, Equipment used: Sony WM-D6C: ECM15OT neck microphones
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Copyright
All Rights ReservedInterview with Jack Young, printed abstract
Date: 30 May 1991
From: Interview with Jack Young
Reference: OHA-0894
Description: Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). 3 Hours Duration.
Interview with Jack Young, tape three
Date: 30 May 1991
From: Interview with Jack Young
Reference: OHC-004877
Description: Arrangement: Tape sequence - tape 3 of 3 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration.
Interview with Jack Young, tape one
Date: 30 May 1991
From: Interview with Jack Young
Reference: OHC-004875
Description: Arrangement: Tape sequence - tape 1 of 3 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration.
Interview with Jack Young, tape two
Date: 30 May 1991
From: Interview with Jack Young
Reference: OHC-004876
Description: Arrangement: Tape sequence - tape 2 of 3 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration.