Equities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (160,267)		$ (160,267)		$ (156,757)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	2,128	$ 6,198	(3,510)	$ (2,368)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(141,590)		(141,590)		(151,852)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			236
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			10,026
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			10,262
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	4,968		4,968		4,398
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			570
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			570
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(4,769)		(4,769)		(2,722)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			(2,418)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			371
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			(2,047)
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (18,876)		(18,876)		$ (6,581)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			(12,295)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			(12,295)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			(13,907)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			10,397
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			$ (3,510)