Section 9: Persons under age.

Anything to the contrary in this Act notwithstanding, if it appears to a court or officer before whom an oath other than a promissory oath is to be taken or affirmation other than a promissory affirmation is to be made, that the person about to take the oath or make the affirmation ought not, by reason of immature age or for any other sufficient cause, to be allowed to take the oath or make the affirmation as aforesaid, it shall be lawful for the court or officer, if the court or officer shall in its or his free discretion so think fit, to allow such person, in lieu of taking the oath or making the affirmation, to give evidence or make a declaration without oath or affirmation and in any such case the court or officer shall enter in the minutes of the proceedings or on the instrument or document concerned, as the case may be, a note of the fact of the evidence or declaration having been given or made without oath or affirmation, and of the reasons therefor:
Provided that, if any person declining or objecting to take an oath is, in the opinion of the court or officer as the case may be, competent, to make an affirmation, such person shall, on the court or officer so directing him, thereupon make an affirmation as provided by section 8 of this Act.