25 YEARS AGO

A GRIM warning that Scotland would be among the last of the industrialised European nations to escape from the recession was given by Mr Peter Balfour, chairman of the Scottish Council (Development and Industry). Mr Balfour said that, at best, the recession would hit bottom this year. At worst, Scotland's economic decline would be as bad as current gloomy predictions. He said: "In Scotland we are paying the price of the large and increasing centralisation in London and the South-east of the real decision-makers in industry, politics, and the trade unions."

50 YEARS AGO

IT IS the government's intention that if the Valuation and Rating (Scotland) Bill becomes law the tenant will not lose and the owner will not benefit. Such was the assurance given in the Commons by Mr James Stuart, secretary of state for Scotland, when the bill was given a second reading. Labour, led by Mr Arthur Woodburn, Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire, opposed the second reading. In his view, the bill had two major aspects - the abolition of owners' rates, and a change in the method of valuation.

100 YEARS AGO

THERE will be general agreement with the approval given yesterday by the members of Glasgow Corporation to the recommendations of the committee which has so carefully inquired into the advisability of adopting what is known as the probation system in the treatment of offenders against the law. Many intricate if not entirely baffling problems are involved in our existing penal system.

150 YEARS AGO

A FARMER in the neighbourhood of Bridge of Allan, Mr Finlayson, invented a couple of years ago a simple mechanism whereby wheels may be attached to the common plough. Since then some improvements have been effected, and it has been patented, and Mr Ferguson, the smith at Bridge of Allan, is now the manufacturer.

200 YEARS AGO

THE noblemen, gentlemen, freeholders, justices of the peace, commissioners of supply, and heritors of the county of Lanark, are to meet to consider the Statute Labour Bill.