FOOD AT OXFORD COLLEGES
Stit,—We are often assured that, owing chiefly to better feeding, the standard of health of our people has been considerably raised. If this be a fact, we may be grateful for it. But I am compelled through a sense of urgency, not unmixed with some anxiety, to draw attention to some exceptions in places where, with the least possible excuse, there is reason to think that there is habitual under-feeding. I refer to some colleges at Oxford in which, despite numerous but vain complaints, the food provided in hall for the undergraduates is, more often than not, poor in quality, insufficient in amount and most imperfectly cooked. Three or four meals a week are admittedly good ; the rest, scanty and unappetising. It may be that those ultimately responsible do not know the facts or, knowing them but not experiencing similar privations them- selves, prefer to ignore them. It is inexcusable that such conditions should persist. If, as is the case, some colleges feed their men well, all could. It is time that an avoidable danger to the health of so many men should be ended. It might also be remembered that the cost of residence at Oxford is heavy, and it is not right that the men, if they are to avoid going hungry, should have to incur the considerable additional expense of supplementing elsewhere the meagre and unpalatable diet usually offered in their own college.
Being an interested parent I must withhold my name, but I enclose my card, Sir, and beg to remain, yours faithfully, °IONIAN.
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