of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 683

and the intuitive judgment of women workers bid fair to win them a permanent
place in the field of manufacture.

„ The subject of your round table discussion, post-war planning, was one that
holds the attention of every thoughtful person today, and particularly com-
mends itself to the consideration of legislators and persons in public office.
From all that has been said beforehand about the increasing sphere of women's
activities, it cannot well be doubted but that the end of this emergency through
which we now are passing, will find a greatly changed balance between women
and men, not only, in industry but in Government and in every field. Thus,
woman's part in the post-war reconstruction will be a vital one. By the same
token, all the judgment and the planning skill that the women of America can
muster will be needed and needed badly if we are to stave off upsetting condi-
tions that, unchecked, might well destroy the free institutions that we today
are fighting so vigorously to defend.

As we see our Government, therefore, rapidly approaching the zenith of all-
out effort that is needed to win this war; as we read with absorbing interest of
the battles to save Australia from invasion, and thus to protect our own out-
post of Hawaii against ominous Japanese threats; as we read of the arrival of
American troops in far-away Egypt and Australia, in Iceland and in England,
in Newfoundland and in the Caribbean, we may well be reminded of the grave
utterances of Premier Curtin of Australia, when his homeland seemed to be in
dire danger of Japanese attack.

"When our men are giving -so gloriously of their efforts and their lives to
protect us, " Premier Curtin said, "can we do less here at home than to throw
ourselves wholeheartedly into every phase of the war effort, so that we, too,
may to the fullest do our part to protect our native land. "

The very seriousness with which the delegates to your Convention have
addressed themselves to the discussions of your Convention augurs well for. the
manner in which your group and, indeed, all the women of America, will answer
the question of war effort participation. As you go, therefore, from this ancient
City of Annapolis, with its multitude of historic memories, bear in mind that
there is in America a wealth of cultural and spiritual possessions and privileges
that merit the last ounce of our effort in their defense.

As in no other war that has ever been waged, is there opportunity and
need for the women of America today to join in the war effort. Particularly
does this responsibility devolve upon women like yourselves, who, having been
selected by the people as representatives in the law-making bodies of our Na-
tion, have been entrusted with the duty of leadership. Yours is not only the
duty to take part in all our Country is attempting to do, but you must assume
leadership; you must be the inspiration to the women of your community, so
that they may follow your leadership and inspiration to the best of their ability.
In every community in this land there is room, not only for Civilian Defense
workers, but for leaders in the very necessary field of war bonds and stamps,
in Red Cross activities, and in all the morale-building activities that an all-
inclusive war like this demands.