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EXPOSING IMPOSTERS.

HOW THE PRESS IS PENALISED. Supporting the proposal to amend the law of libel, the Wanganui Chronicle states:—As evidence of the necessity of such a provision in the public interests we are able to cite an actual and convincing case in point. Some months ago there arrived in Wanganui a stranger who came accredited by credentials which, prima facie, were bona fide. He proclaimed himself a partner in a large world-known business concern, and hid avowed mission was to secure the practical, i.e., financial, support of local investors in the establishment of a branch of the industry in Wanganui. Before the visitor had time to set about collecting the “few thousands” he required, the Chronicle discovered that there was reason to believe that the man was not what he professed himself to be, and prompt inquiry through official sources confirmed the fact. The man was not in any way connected with the firm of which he professed to be a partner, but a plausible imposter with a criminal’ record. The Chronicle, very properly, called upon the man to prove his bona tides, pointing out that it was desirable in the interests both of himself and of The investing public that he should do so. Instead of attempting the impossible, he found a, solicitor who did not object to act for him and, through that gentleman, he served the Chronicle with a writ claiming £2OOO damages. Tn view of the evidence in the Chronicle’s possession it was obvious that the writ was merely an impudent bluff intended to afford the imposter opportunity to nia.kf his getaway in the guise of an injured innocent, and so it proved. Had the Chronicle not exposed the imposter,’local citizens would probably have been “taken down’.’ for some thousands of pounds; but, because the law is as it is it cost the Chronicle over £5O for the legal expenses precedent to an action which could never have been brought to trial. Had the law contained a just and equitable provision under which a Magistrate would have had the power, upon reasonable cause being shown, to order the plaintiff to deposit with the Court in proof of his good faith a sum equivalent to the prospective costs of the action, the writ would never have been issued and a public newspaper would not have been improperly penalised for safeguarding the public from the operations of a fraudulent imposter.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19210927.2.6

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1921, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
403

EXPOSING IMPOSTERS. Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1921, Page 2

EXPOSING IMPOSTERS. Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1921, Page 2

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