Salient Can Now Reveal that a journalist, Kevin Sinclair, is a member of the staff of "New Zealand Truth."

The Staff of the socalled "New Zealand" Truth also includes several self-confessed Englishmen.

I Attempted to interview the editor of "Truth"—but as soon as I dialled the number I got the "engaged" signal.

The questions I wanted to ask the editor were contained in a letter I forgot to post. These are the questions that he wouldn't listen to:

• • Is Sinclair, a card-carrying member of the journalists' union, on the staff?
• • Are there Englishmen on the staff?
• • Does Lux toilet soap clean your skin deep down?

But it appears these questions will not be answered.

One person I was unable to track down for comment was the Duke of Edinburgh.

In the past, efforts have been made to eliminate criticism by removing journalists from the staff. But a cursory glance at "Truth" reveals the name of Sinclair and several other practising journalists.

Don't hide

Englishmen on the paper make no attempt to hide the fact. I talked to one the other day and he was quite frank about it.

"I am an Englishman," he said.

Although Mr. Sinclair may not realise it. a man of his rather limited experience would stand no chance of success if he tried to match his wits with the skilful intriguers from England.

Is a New Zealand newspaper which is read by 250,000 parents in this country to have Englishmen on the staff?

These parents have children who are the grandchildren of our senior citizens. How long is the Government going to allow this situation to continue? What about the undercover traffic in leather singlets?

Inoculated

Some parents of children who are trying to become New Zealanders. but who are being inoculated with English ideas at the same time, think an investigation is well overdue.

"My daughter has been brain-washed," one anguished mother told me last week.

"She used to be a normal girl, but she is not now," said the mother.

Witty and vivacious, Sinclair followed an incisive article on peaceniks and vietniks in training colleges with a story of intense national importance—about a "dial-avirgin" service in Christchurch.

But one thing is quite vague.

Sinclair has spoken out about students and training colleges—but he has not denied rumours that he is actually a PhD in Oriental Languages from Melbourne University.

He hasn't denied them because he hasn't been asked.

I asked some imaginary people in the street what they thought of the threat.

"I don't know about it," said one.

"Push off before yer get a thick ear," said another.

How long will it be before such sacred institutions as Salient are attacked? Will cabinet take action? What about this? What about that?

This time, not even Time will tell.

Thurbage

A Column Of Freelance Comment