As to any estates of absentees in the process of administration at the time this act takes effect under article 40 of chapter 60 of the General Statutes of 1949, if no permanent conservator has heretofore been appointed under said act, the administration thereof shall proceed after the effective date of this act in accordance herewith. If a permanent conservator has been appointed prior to the effective date of this act, said administration shall be continued in accordance with said article 40 as it has previously existed until said administration is finally concluded.