We construct a local gauge transformation to show how, in confined systems, a generic, weak nonhomogeneous SU(2) spin-orbit Hamiltonian reduces to two U(1) Hamiltonians for spinless fermions at opposite magnetic fields, to leading order in the spin-o
rbit strength. Using an Onsager relation, we further show how the resulting spin conductance vanishes in a two-terminal setup, and how it is turned on by either weakly breaking time-reversal symmetry or opening additional transport terminals. We numerically check our theory for mesoscopic cavities as well as Aharonov-Bohm rings.
