Preparing for Change?

Ever since the November elections, when his Liberal Party again failed to win an absolute majority of the Canadian House of Commons, Prime Minister Lester Pearson has been acting like a man preparing his exit. Rather than try to undertake any new economic and social reform measures, Pearson has set up what amounts to a caretaker government to continue present policies.

He has also mysteriously appointed Tom Kent, chief of his personal staff and for 21 years his closest political adviser, to a top-level civil service job that will be safe from political upheavals. Last week came an even more telling indication: his three remaining top aides are looking for work.

Chief motive for Pearson's decision to step down before another election is his belief that the Canadian electorate has grown tired of the running battle between himself and crotchety former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, leader of the Conservative opposition. He has set himself no deadline, but his job-hunting aides believe he may call a Liberal Party conference to choose his successor as Prime Minister some time this year. Among leading candidates are three middle-roaders: Minister of Trade and Commerce Robert Winters, 55, an old Pearson crony; Finance Minister Mitchell Sharp, 54, who engineered Canada's profitable $700 million wheat deals with Red China; and National Defense Minister Paul Hellyer, 42, a brisk administrator who has been spectacularly successful in reducing rivalries among Canada's three armed services.

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