BARONET & WIFE
REMAWKABLE DISAGREEMENT.
A LOYAL YORKSHIREMAN
Remarkable of disagreement'between a Well-komvn Yorkshire baronet and his wife were the sequel to a holiday tour in China and Japan from which .'Lady Gunter, wife of Sir Ronald Gunter, Bart., recently returned. Lady Gunter, who, as Miss Daisy Siimmdnds, of Kentish Town, was hiarried to Sir Rdnald, the racing motorist in 1925, lives at Bark Hill, Wetherby, Yorkshire, the family seat. An interview with her appeared in the Yorkshire edition of the “Daily Express” a few weeks ago and the disparaging comments Lady Gunter then made bn that country in general—and Leeds in particular-—aroused a storm, of indignation.
“Leeds,” said Lady. Gunter, “Is nothing better than a cheap imitation of London. If I want to sfee anything sihart in Yorkshire I go to Harrogate. That is the only V place where you wan .find smartness —and that is. be-cause-the residents are "mostly not Yorkshire people.. I leave Yorkshire for London with a feeling of relief. -Every face I meet here is miserable oiid depressing and everyone 1 speak to is.rude.”
; Lady Gunter added : “The very tramcar, conductors- insult one. They offer no help or directions; they are gratuitously offensive, and if they had- the chance , would all but push One off the tramcar. I suppose it is your vaunted Yorkshire independence.”
A great number of letters reached the “Daily Express” following the. pub lication of the 'interview, among them being the following one from Sir Ronald Gunter: —“I read with more disgust than surprise the interview with Lady Gunter on her opinion of Yorkshire and Yorkshire people. While it is hardly necessary to mention that I am a Yorkshireman and proud of it, ; I think I may here say that I do not share her views. The majority ot people in Leeds and Wetherby will without do.ulit, look : upon this outburst of publicity as not in the best taste. For -myself, I am particularly grieved that this uncalled-for . criticism should have come from my wife.”
“I wish you to publish my letter, so 'that it will be made clear that I have Uo sympathy with Lady Gunter’s views on Yorkshire,” said Sir Ronald to an interviewer. “1 Avant it to be knoAvn that not only do I not associate myself Avith her statements, but that I disapprove of them strongly and disagree Avith Avhat she says.
“I can Avell imagine that Lady Gunter’s statements must have caused considerable offence, and to make my own position clear, most particularly to the people of Wetherby, "Avho have knoAvn and respected my family for so long I should‘like to say what I think of Yorkshire. Like all decent. Bnglislipien, 1 think my country is the best in th'e world, and I say that there is no country better than Yorkshire in all England.- ■ “I have lived in Yorkshire since the age of tAVO, and I have always found the people most efficient at business, hard-Avorking and loyal. I speak from my experience of those who have Ayorked for myself and my family. There are no people on earth who are more good-natured or AVarm-hearted.” In the meantime, however, so much, resentment Ava-s caused by her remarks that Lady Gunter herself had taken steps to modify them. In a further intervieAv she said: “I am extremely distressed by. the impressions created Among Yorkshire people. They think I have snubbed Yorkshire. That is absolutely wrong. 'I like- Yorkshire, and the last thing I want to do is to .offend, the Yorkshire people, among whom have I come to live. I will defend Yorkshire folk against everyone.” .Lady Gunter was formerly on the stage. Sir Ronald, the third baronet, is ,26 years of age.-
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Hokitika Guardian, 31 July 1930, Page 8
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616BARONET & WIFE Hokitika Guardian, 31 July 1930, Page 8
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