Equities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (211,726)	$ (214,207)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	2,481	(57,450)	$ 110
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	5,656	4,156	4,398	$ 2,370
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	1,500	(242)	2,028
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	0	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	1,500	(242)	2,028
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(9,196)	(5,324)	(2,722)	11,685
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(6,999)	(3,394)	(6,011)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	3,127	792	(8,396)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(3,872)	(2,602)	(14,407)
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(43,040)	(41,310)	(6,581)	(5,311)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(2,200)	(34,729)	(1,957)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	470	0	687
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(1,730)	(34,729)	(1,270)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(211,726)	(214,207)	(156,757)	(156,867)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(14,029)	(71,603)	(6,030)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	16,510	14,153	6,140
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	2,481	(57,450)	110
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(165,146)	(171,729)	(151,852)	$ (165,611)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(6,330)	(33,238)	(90)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	12,913	13,361	13,849
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	$ 6,583	$ (19,877)	13,759
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain on Discontinuation of Cash Flow Hedge Due to Forecasted Transaction Probable of Not Occurring			$ 13,500