INDIAN REFORMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14221, 18 November 1909, Page 5

INDIAN REFORMS.

THE NEW PROPOSALS. By Telegraph.— Press Association.—Copyright. Calcutta, November 16. Details of the Indian reforms have been gazetted in Calcutta. The Viceroy's Council will have an official majority of three on all the provisional councils and . non-official majorities, ranging from 14 in Bengal to three in Burma. The Mohammedans, will be adequately represented on the Viceroy's Council. The Aga Khan, president of the AllIndia Moslem League, and Ameer AH, president of the London branch, consider the new regulations constitute the fulfilment of pledges made to Moslems, far in advance of earlier proposals. They strongly recommend their loyal acceptance: (Received November 17, 11 p.m.) Calcutta, November 17. The Calcutta correspondent of the Times reports that the vernacular press condemns the reform scheme, and extremists are promoting the boycott of the reforms.

His Highness Sir Sultan Mohammed Shah, G.C.I. better known as the Aga Khan, is a young man- of 34, speaking faultless English, Oriental only in his features and complexion, who is the the head or hereditary Imam of the great Mohammedan sect of the Ismaili Khojas, of which there are members all over India, and which extends even to Central Asia and Zanzibar. The Khojas are that branch of the Shiah Mohammedans who accept Ismail, the descendant of AH and Fatima, as the last of the revealed Imams. The Aga Khan is the head of these descendants. The grandfather of the present prince arrived from Persia in India in 1845. He was the brother-in-law of the Shah, and left his country for political reasons. Since then the Aga Khans have made their home in India, and their relations with the British authorities have always been cordial. The present Aga Khan is not only a. great religious power; he is one of the political leaders of the Moslems, and in that capacity has often been of assistance to the Indian Government. English gratitude for the aid he has rendered has been displayed in various ways—in the decorations that have been conferred upon him, in his entertainment by the late Queen, and in the invitation to him to attend the King's Coronation. » Ameer Ali, a barrister-at-law, was lecturer on Mohammedan law in Calcutta for many years, and a member of the Imperial Legislative Council of India. He is the author of numerous works on Mohammedanism, including "A Critical Examination of the Life and Teachings of Mohammed," " Spirit of Islam," " Ethics of Islam," " Personal Law of the Mohammedans," and Students' Handbook of Mohammedan Law."