BOGUS "TRUTH" REPORTER

NZ Truth, Issue 1176, 14 June 1928, Page 9

BOGUS "TRUTH" REPORTER

(From "N;Z. Truth's" Speciai Christchurch Representative.)

QOMEWHERE in Christehurch there lives a big, burly, well-dressed " individual who has had the effrontery to style himself a member of the reporting staff of "N.Z. Truth." Using this designation, he had the impudence to call upon a prominent minister of religion in the city and shamelessly pried into his private life, hinting that this journal "had something on him" which Was highly detrimentalFortunately, the minister in question has been interviewed by bonafide pressmen many times and it was not long before this cheap fake had been sized up and shown the door. This bogus "Truth" reporter introduced himself by the name of Jameson. "N.Z. Truth'* would very much like to meet him, when effective steps will be taken to curtail the activities of this man, who, by his conduct, is endeavoring to slur the high reputation which this paper enjoys among all sections of the community. "Truth" warns citizens of Christchureh to be on the look-out for this bogus reporter — particularly men of standing in the city — and not to be taken in by him. The minister who had a most unpleasant experience at the hands of this practical joker or crook — as he may be called — visited the Christchureh representative of this paper first thrng the next morning. He demanded to know what was meant by sending a reporter to nose into his private life and he was emphatic when he stated- that he formed the impression that the whole trend of the conversation during the interview smelt strongly of attempted blackmail. He was greatly relieved^ however, when he heard that he had been the victim of a fake call and that no mart by the name of Jameson or anyone answering to his description was employed on the staff of this paper. He described the man as "big-built, tall and large hands, but he had no grip when he shook hands with me at first. As a matter of fact, it was just like having a lump of steak in my hand." Little attention was paid by the minister to the clothes the man wore, but he remembered that he was very well dressed. He spoke in a fairly lour! voice. Representatives of this paper; whether an the reporting or commercial side, have orthodox methods of introducing themselves to people which leave no room for doubt as to their bona-fides. If the bogus reporter pays any further calls, those who are "interviewed" by him should communicate with the Christchureh office of "Truth" without delay.