Fellow Delegates,

Since we last met, I am glad to say that a great change has taken place in the entire outlook of the war. Then it was still a grim struggle for survival-it was still a matter of doubt whether free institutions and human progress would be possible or whether the world would sink again into a new Dark Age of oppression and slavery. Now I think it can be said without undue optimism that the battle for survival is won : we are entering on the last phase of the war, which may well be drawn out and tedious, of utterly stamping out the dying embers of totalitarian bar­barism. Let us not make the serious mistake of thinking that all is over bar the shouting, and that we can now take things easy. As far as Ceylon is concerned, economic con­ditions may well become much worse before they begin to improve. Ceylon will also very probably be again in the front line of the war in the East. A year ago we were in the front line in the resistance to the advance of the Japanese : we are now likely to be in the front line in the advance against the Japanese. We must therefore all be ready for further hardships and sacrifice before victory is 'finally won.

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