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2.

war I fancy there is very little difference of opinion on the necessity
of winning that war. Now that we are in it we have to see
it through. The issues have clarified themselves into something very
simple which anyone can understand. We and our Allies are fighting
to maintain decency and order in the world. No one has put it better
than Mr. Churchill when he described the present rulers of Germany
as gangsters who are trying to shoot their way out with their loot
through the "G" men of civilisation. If we were defeated it would
mean the loss in life of most things that we hold dear. But we are
not going to be defeated.

To win we must have the determination to win. We must have
courage, and we must have hope. We must keep a stout heart. That
applies not only to our armed forces, but to every man, woman, and
child in this Dominion. In old days war was a contest of armies and
navies. Today it is a contest of peoples. In the last war it was
the breakdown of Germany's national morale lwhich led to her defeat.
In this war it is the maintenance of our national morale, our civilian
morale, which will bring us victory. I remember in the last war
a famous French general who, whenever he prophesied ultimate victory,
always added, "Provided the civilians stick it out" -
Pourvu que les civiles tiennent.

So this afternoon I want to offer you a few reflections
which should conduce, I think, to stoutness of heart and cheerfulness
of spirit. We have to face great difficulties, but we have also
great assets. We are living in a confused and tragic world, but
from that very confusion and tragedy we may win certain shining bene-