I have tried using dconf-editor and org-gnome-desktop-wm where I have tried moving the colon in menu:minimize,maximize,close to the end. I have even put menu after it. Of course it should be close,minimize,maximize:
My other machine is a Mac which is why I want these buttons on the left.
Any suggestions?
Hi: Try MATE Tweak, select “Windows”, look under heading “Appearence”
Hello @James_Wilde. Welcome to community 
Have you try changing settings in MATE Tweak and use Cupertino panel for similar layout then Mac uses. Warning, if you have any customisation, save your layout first.
It may look different depending which version of Ubutu MATE you have installed.
Thanks, both of you. That did it at last!