OXFORD AND PROHIBITION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16266, 17 July 1918, Page 8

OXFORD AND PROHIBITION.

A CIRCULAR AND A REPLY. A Memorial to the Vice-Chancellor, etc., of the University of Oxford, was' recently circulated in Oxford by some temperance reformers. Following are I some of its objects:—• "Not to permit 'Freshers' Wines' to: recur after the war. j "To prohibit the sale, out of iny l College, of Common Boom Stores, to any undergraduate or other person in statu pupiflari, of any whisky or other spirits, or of any wine or beer, except light wine or beer. I "To prohibit the introduction of any intoxicant into any College, by or for any undergraduate or person in statu pupillari. - without the written order of the Dean, Censor, or other like officer Of the College." / Amongst others, Professor Sir WalAmongst others, Professor Sir Walter Raleigh received this document, and in the course of his reply he said: — "I was sorrc to get your circular. "I have been fourteen years in Oxford, and have seen a great deal of the undergraduates in the Colleges. ' "Drunkenness is rare, and is veil deait with by a decent public opinion among tho men themselves. "I cannot think it wise to ask the resident members of the University to adopt rules drafted for them by a body of petitioners the bulk of whom are , neither responsible for (the discipline ufi the Colleges nor well acquainted with the life of the undergraduates. ! "A certain amount of freedom to go wrong is essential in a University, where men are learning, not to obey, but to choose.

"Thousands of the men whose habits you censure have already died for their people and country. Virtually nil nave» fought. Why is it, that .when the greatest mystery of the Christian religion comes alive again before our eyes, so many of the authorised teachers of Christianity do not see >t or understand it, but retire to the timid security of a prohibitive and negative virtue? Your petition is an insult to the men whoJiave saved you and are saving you."