Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings [Member]	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]	Unrealized Derivative Gains (Losses) [Member]	Minimum Retirement Benefit Liability Adjustments [Member]	Deferred Compensation in Equity [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock at Cost [Member]	Treasury Stock Held for Deferred Compensaton [Member]	Total
Balances at Sep. 30, 2010	$ 106	$ 73,915	$ 6,342	$ 23,152	$ (627)	$ (16,183)	$ 4,888	$ 835,919	$ (113,088)	$ (4,888)	$ 803,194
Balance, Treasury Stock, shares at Sep. 30, 2010									(4,223)
Balance, Common Stock, shares at Sep. 30, 2010	72,960
Balance, Treasury stock held for deferred compensation, Shares at Sep. 30, 2010										(356)
Net earnings								90,545			90,545
Cash dividends paid								(13,764)			(13,764)
Purchases of treasury stock									(7,961)		(7,961)
Purchases of treasury stock, shares									(242)
Sales of treasury stock		(1,754)							4,963		3,209
Sales of treasury stock, shares									310
Tax benefit attributable to exercise of stock options		2,581									2,581
Stock-based compensation		5,370									5,370
Purchases of stock by deferred compensation plan		33					128			(128)	33
Purchases of stock by deferred compensation plan, shares									2	(2)
Distribution of stock from deferred compensation plan							(445)			445
Distribution of stock from deferred compensation plan, shares										43
Foreign currency translation adjustments			17,043	17,043							17,043
Reclassification of unrecognized derivative losses to earnings			172		172						172
Minimum retirement benefits liability adjustments			(413)			(413)					(413)
Taxes on changes in accumulated other comprehensive earnings			(1,711)	(1,791)	(65)	145					(1,711)
Balances at Jun. 30, 2011	106	80,145	21,433	38,404	(520)	(16,451)	4,571	912,700	(116,086)	(4,571)	898,298
Balance, Treasury Stock, shares at Jun. 30, 2011									(4,153)
Balance, Common Stock, shares at Jun. 30, 2011	72,960
Balance, Treasury stock held for deferred compensation, Shares at Jun. 30, 2011										(315)
Balances at Sep. 30, 2011	106	81,453	3,626	22,103	(484)	(17,993)	4,581	949,573	(115,661)	(4,581)	919,097
Balance, Treasury Stock, shares at Sep. 30, 2011									(4,070)		(4,070)
Balance, Common Stock, shares at Sep. 30, 2011	72,960										72,960
Balance, Preferred Stock, shares at Sep. 30, 2011											0
Balance, Treasury stock held for deferred compensation, Shares at Sep. 30, 2011										(315)	(315)
Net earnings								95,470			95,470
Cash dividends paid								(15,855)			(15,855)
Purchases of treasury stock									(31,881)		(31,881)
Purchases of treasury stock, shares									(792)
Sales of treasury stock		(1,295)							6,941		5,646
Sales of treasury stock, shares									418
Common shares issued from treasury stock for benefit plans		5,238							4,097		9,335
Common shares issued from treasury stock for benefit plans, shares									209		209
Tax benefit attributable to exercise of stock options		3,778									3,778
Stock-based compensation		6,680									6,680
Purchases of stock by deferred compensation plan		59					179		49	(179)	108
Purchases of stock by deferred compensation plan, shares									3	(4)
Distribution of stock from deferred compensation plan							(437)			437
Distribution of stock from deferred compensation plan, shares										44
Foreign currency translation adjustments			(14,018)	(14,018)							(14,018)
Reclassification of unrecognized derivative losses to earnings			131		131						131
Minimum retirement benefits liability adjustments			141			141					141
Taxes on changes in accumulated other comprehensive earnings			2,027	2,127	(50)	(50)					2,027
Balances at Jun. 30, 2012	$ 106	$ 95,913	$ (8,093)	$ 10,212	$ (403)	$ (17,902)	$ 4,323	$ 1,029,188	$ (136,455)	$ (4,323)	$ 980,659
Balance, Treasury Stock, shares at Jun. 30, 2012									(4,232)		(4,232)
Balance, Common Stock, shares at Jun. 30, 2012	72,960										72,960
Balance, Preferred Stock, shares at Jun. 30, 2012											0
Balance, Treasury stock held for deferred compensation, Shares at Jun. 30, 2012										(275)	(275)