Section 44. The commissioner or his designee may examine any foreign society transacting business in the commonwealth or applying for admission. For this purpose, the commissioner or his designee shall have the powers given by section 36 relative to domestic societies. He may accept, in lieu of such examination, the examination of the insurance department of the state or country where the society is organized. The actual expenses of the examiners making any such examination shall be paid by the society, upon a statement furnished by the commissioner.