This conference on “Public Administration in Co‐operative Federalism”, fittingly convened by the Royal Institute of Public Administration, is a most timely one. It is tangible evidence that co‐operative federalism is not only possible but, in many areas, positively flourishes, and it provides an opportunity for those of us with state or federal responsibilities in public administration to state our problems fairly and frankly and seek ways of extending co‐operation to secure future prosperity for