INDIAN AFFAIRS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2860, 6 January 1909, Page 22

INDIAN AFFAIRS.

CALCUTTA, December 29; The Indian National Congress, which, I1I 1 was opened at Madras, elected Dr G'hose president. He deolarod that the whole -Indian Empire wa# deeply grateful for 'Viscount Mbrley's efforts, which gave the -country something like a constitutional Indians had now best show "themselves deserving of Britain's confittfence. The colonial form of self-govern-ment was India's ideal, though it was still 1 irery distant. Dr Ghose said he hoped the repressive legislation would be only temporary. He ridiculed the idea of shaking British sovereignty by a few flasks of picnic acid or a few pounds of powder. The Mohammedan papers consider the reforms tantamount to a political abandonment of the Mohammedans and in favour of the Hindus. They also condemn Viscount Mor-Jey's disregard of Lord jMinto's efforts to pafejspiard the Moham.medans. January 1. The editor of an inflammatory newspaper (the Swaraj, or Home Rule) at 'Allahabad, and seven other Hindoos have been arrested on charges of sedition. January 4. The police in a Calcutta suburb were mobbed because, in deference to Hindu feeling, tliey prohibited the sacrifice of cows at a Mohammedan festival. The Mohammedans and Hindus fought, and 60 people were wounded. r The military were summoned, and were compelled to fire, killing several people. r LONDON, January 1. A. long list of Indian honours in connection with the commemoration of the fftieth anniversary of the Crown's

assumption of the government of India has been gazetted. Increased pay is to be granted to £he officers and rank and file of the Indian army.