MANY GERMAN SUICIDES OWING TO DISTRESS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18961, 7 January 1930, Page 1

MANY GERMAN SUICIDES OWING TO DISTRESS.

(United Press Assn. —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, January C. The Berlin correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian” states that there have been an abnormally large number of suicides since the New Year. Between January 1 and January 3 there have been thirty-one attempts, twenty-two of which were fatal. Many women were gassed, others drowned, hanged or shot themselves. Two septuagenarians jumped from balconies. Those dead include a well-known author and theatre manager who was in financial straits. Many of the victims were workmen and business people who had been reduced to desperation by unemployment and bad trade. Seasonal unemployment is approaching its peak. At present there are 1,600,000 persons throughout Germany r2ceiving the dole, and many thousands have exceeded the dole period. The total number of workless is 2,200,000. and it is expected to increase. In spite of the mild weather, distress is acute.