Interview with Sir George Robert Laking KCMG

Sir George Laking was born in Auckland in 1912. Notes that his personal details are recorded in the Customs Department oral history project (OHInt-0176/01). Describes transferring from Customs to the Organisation for National Security, in the Prime Minister's Office, in 1940. Talks about the role of Foss Shanahan in this transfer. Talks about his early death and the significance of his role in the Department of External Affairs, Cabinet Secretariat, civil aviation and in the immigration of Polish refugee children. Describes the work of the Organisation for National Security. Comments on the atmosphere in New Zealand particularly concerning possible Japanese invasion.

Describes Sir Carl Berendsen and contrasts him with Sir Alister McIntosh. Talks about the role of Deputy Prime Minister Sir Walter Nash during the war. Notes that he was part of the Pacific War Council and that he and Berendsen were New Zealanders making an impact internationally. Talks about working with Peter Fraser in the absence of Shanahan or McIntosh. Lists External Affairs posts and describes the development of overseas representation. Mentions the Enabling Act (of the Department of External Affairs) in 1943. Discusses the role of J.V. Wilson in developing a core of professional people in the Department.

Describes travelling the Pacific with Peter Fraser in 1944 and 1945 and the impact this had on Pacific Island nations. Comments on the New Zealand regime in Western Samoa. Discusses issues facing the United Nations including the future of its mandated territories. Comments on Fraser's influence on trusteeship for Western Samoa. Discusses NZ's changing relationships with Britain and the United States, particularly regarding its Pacific role and security. Talks about the development of the Department and staff members Frank Corner, Colin Aikman, Tom Larkin, Charles Craw and Malcolm Templeton.

Discusses the time he spent as Counsellor at the New Zealand Embassy in Washington from 1949 to 1956. Talks about working relationships with Dean Aicheson and John Foster Dulles. Describes the key events during his period in the States as McCarthyism, the Cuban missile crisis and the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Discusses the domino theory and southeast Asia. Talks about the government under Sir Sidney Holland from 1949 to 1957 and its emphasis on New Zealand's relationship with Britain. Discusses New Zealand's relationship with Australia and the development of ANZUS and SEATO. Comments on Sir Leslie Munro as Ambassador to Washington.

Describes being Acting High Commissioner in London from 1958 to 1961, at the beginning of the British approach to the European Economic Community (EEC). Mentions C F Skinner visiting from New Zealand to make a case for preferential treatment for New Zealand butter and meat. Describes returning to the United States as Ambassador to Washington from 1961 to 1967. Discusses American and New Zealand involvement in Vietnam, Lyndon Baines Johnson, visiting Saigon and the role of the CIA. Comments on Prime Minister Sir Keith Holyoake, Sir Jack Marshall and Norman Kirk. Discusses New Zealand's recognition of China in 1972 and Ray La Varis' role in setting up trade.

Summarises the evolving relationship with Britain, the USA, South-east Asia, the South Pacific and Australia. Discusses Vietnam, the UN charter, the veto, UN trusteeship, Western Samoa, the Korean War and and the EEC. Describes New Zealand involvement with the Australia and New Zealand agreement 1944, South Pacific Commission 1947, ANZUS, SEATO 1954, the Colombo Plan, ASPAC and ASEAN.

Explains the role of a diplomat and assesses his own contribution.

Access Contact - see oral history librarian

Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe

Venue - Ombudsman's Office, The Terrace, Wellington

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000500, 000504, 000504A, 000505A

Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 2.30 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-0094.

Search dates: 1984

Alternative form available: Listening copies available at: tape 1 OHLC-005729; tape 2 OHLC-005730; tape 3 OHLC-006967