Hi Stephen I don't know why those Declarations were required but they were still in use in 1939 when my parents were married in Townsville. My dad was 23 and my mum only 19, meaning she still required her mother's consent, but my parents still had to sign this declaration (Schedule C, 28 Victoria No. 15) and there had not been anything untoward in their lives. Both mothers were widows but I doubt this would have had any effect that would necessitate such a declaration. Gloria **