Many countries also give parties public subsidies or perks like free postage and broadcasting.

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The free postage is not meant to be used for circulars of any kind and Mr Foster later used his expenses allowance to pay for the letters.

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One problem is all that free postage.

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And in an election campaign, broadcasts, postage and meeting halls are available to parties free of charge.

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DVDs are delivered free to subscribers by first class mail, with a postage-paid return envelope, from 58 distribution centers.

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