Equities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2015	Nov. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (217,760)	$ (157,844)	$ (214,207)	$ (156,757)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(3,553)	(1,087)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(168,528)	(148,121)	(171,729)	(151,852)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	6,419	348
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(3,218)	3,383
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	3,201	3,731
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	4,716	5,028	4,156	4,398
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	560	630
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	560	630
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(9,658)	(2,964)	(5,324)	(2,722)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(4,216)	(368)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(118)	126
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(4,334)	(242)
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(44,290)	(11,787)	$ (41,310)	$ (6,581)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(2,980)	(5,206)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(2,980)	(5,206)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(217)	(4,596)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(3,336)	3,509
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	$ (3,553)	$ (1,087)