They shrank from the starvation and misery a general strike would entail, and were willing to meet the Government half-way.
They wanted to meet the Government half-way to avoid starvation and misery.
mnli hypothesis: They wanted to meet the Government half-way to avoid starvation and misery. premise: They shrank from the starvation and misery a general strike would entail, and were willing to meet the Government half-way.